Manasquan Inlet Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next sixteen days for Manasquan Inlet. Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. The forecast is pretty bare for a while, and we’re looking at a long, frustrating gap before anything worth paddling out for shows up.

We kick off on Tuesday, September 1st, but don’t get excited. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time, sitting at 74°F, but that’s the only highlight. The swell is tiny, under 2ft from the SE, and the combined energy is a sad 12. It’s just not there. That sets the tone for the next week and a half.

From Tuesday morning all the way through to Thursday, September 10th, it’s a total write-off. We’re talking about a solid nine days where the surf is practically non-existent. Swell heights barely crack 2ft, and when they do, the wind is junk – onshore, cross-on, or just messy. The combined energy values are mostly two-digit numbers, weak and uninspiring. There’s a moment on Thursday, September 3rd, with a clean 2ft from the E and a light offshore, but even then it’s just “surfable but very ordinary” – not enough to get excited about.

Finally, we get a glimmer on Friday, September 11th. The swell starts to build, pushing 4ft from the S by the afternoon. The combined energy climbs to 118, which is moderate. The wind is clean cross-off from the SW, so the lineup might have some shape. This is the best we’ve seen in nearly two weeks, but the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and weak. It’s a surf, but not a standout. Saturday the 12th holds similar, with a 3ft swell from the SSE and clean cross-off wind, but it’s not a big jump.

The real potential, and I mean *potential*, comes on the tail end of the run. The 14th of September has a clean 1ft SE swell with a gentle offshore from the W. It’s small, but it’s clean. Then on the 16th, Wednesday morning, we see a 3ft S swell with a slight air and light cross-shore – the energy is 65, which is still weak, but it’s the most consistent-looking wave in the whole forecast.

The Standout: If you’re holding out for anything, it’s Friday, September 11th afternoon. The 4ft S swell (118 combined energy) with clean cross-off wind is the only time the energy levels hit three digits and the conditions line up. It’s not huge, but it’s head-high and clean. Just keep in mind the short period will make it a bit fat and gutless. For a more advanced crew, that’s the day to be on the water.

The rest of the run is a grind. If you’re a dedicated surfer, you’ll be itching by the 11th. For the beginners, wait for something bigger and cleaner – this isn’t your week.

Rusty.

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