Magna Tubes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right now, the ocean’s got a bit of a split personality. We’ve got some proper swell on the radar, but the wind’s going to be a pain in the neck for a few days before we score some clean ones. Hold on to your boards, it’s going to be a bumpy ride before things glass off.

Magna-Tubes (Magna Tubes), the reef is the only game in town, and for the first stretch, it’s going to be messy. Tuesday the 15th has a weak, cross-on breeze with 5ft of short-period slop. The energy is weak (850) and the water’s a very unusual 61°, which is much colder than normal for this time of year. It’s pretty tough going.

The 16th through the 19th is a write-off for decent waves. We’ve got a solid pulse of 10ft south-west swell filling in, but it’s riddled with strong cross and onshore winds. It’s lumpy, choppy, and just plain ugly out there. This is when the spot is going to be a mess. The 19th afternoon does show a tiny light at the end of the tunnel with the wind going glassy and 7ft of east swell, but it’s a fleeting moment.

Then, we finally get a proper window. The 20th is the first real standout. The wind goes light and glassy in the morning, with a clean 7ft of south-west groundswell wrapping in. The waves are going to be proper, with good shape. This is the one to point the car at if you can. The 21st is a step down in size and a step up in wind, so that’s a wash.

After a couple of small, weak days (22-23 Sep) with the energy dropping out, it’s time for the main event. The 24th isn't great, with strong winds, but it's all building toward the weekend. The 26th and 27th are when the real power arrives. We’re looking at a solid 12ft of south-west groundswell, and on the 27th the winds finally clock offshore and stay clean. The energy is strong (4705), and the sets will be long and lined up. This is the biggest and best of the run. The 28th marks a slow decline, and by the 29th and 30th, it fades back into the messy category.

For a break like this, especially with that long-period groundswell, the shape will be best on the reef. The beachies will be closing out. It’s expert-only territory when it’s over 8ft, so the 26th and 27th are strictly for the chargers.

There is a window on the 25th, with a massive drop in swell and glassy conditions, but it's short-lived.

So, two words: 20th and 27th of September. Mark them in the calendar, but be prepared for the 27th to be big and powerful. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty

Read more