Manly Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about Manly. Look, I’m not gonna sugar-coat it – the next 16 days are a mixed bag, and you’ll have to be patient. The first few days are pretty grim, with only a whisper of swell and messy wind. But if you’re keen and you can wait, there’s a couple of windows that’ll get the blood pumping.

We kick off on Saturday, September 5th with a tiny 2ft S swell, but a cross-on N breeze at 9 mph is just chopping it up. Afternoon isn’t any better – a junky 4ft NNE swell with a cross NW wind. Sunday the 6th cleans up a bit with a WSW offshore at 16 mph, but the swell is still small at 4ft from the SSW, and honestly, it’s just not doing much. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Now, Monday the 7th morning – this is where we see a glimmer. The wind drops to glassy, dead calm, and there’s a 5ft S swell with a moderate wave energy (344). It’s surfable, but the conditions are very ordinary. The period is 8 seconds, so it’s a bit of a weak, short-period chop, but if you’re desperate for a paddle, you’ll find something. Afternoon gets cross-shore again and messy.

Tuesday the 8th is the standout. The morning delivers a solid 8ft SSE swell with a clean cross-offshore S breeze at 9 mph. The wave energy jumps to 872 – that’s a proper punch. This is for the experienced crew; 8ft is getting into expert territory, and it’ll be powerful. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s got some shape but will be a bit walled-up at a beach break like Manly. Crowds are often here, so expect company if you paddle out. Tuesday afternoon gets a touch bigger at 8ft SSE with a longer 11-second period, but the wind swings cross-on from the E, making it a bit choppy. Still, if you’re a confident surfer, the morning is your best bet.

Wednesday the 9th morning cleans up with a light SW offshore and a 5ft SSE swell (324 energy), but it’s just ordinary – nothing to write home about. Afternoon gets howling S wind at 28 mph, so forget it. Thursday the 10th sees a solid 8ft S swell (1056 energy) with a clean cross-off SSW breeze in the morning – that’s another expert-only session, but the period is only 9 seconds so it’ll be a bit dumpy. Friday the 11th drops off to 5ft S swell with an 11-second period, but it’s cross-off and clean – good for a cheeky session if you’re not fussy.

Into the second week, things get quieter. Saturday the 12th has a nice 4ft to 4ft S swell with a clean wind, and the period stretches to 11 seconds, giving the waves a bit of push. That’s a fun small-wave day for the beginners. Sunday the 13th brings a weird 3ft S swell with an 18-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. At a point break, that’s gold, but at Manly, a beach break, it’ll break straight and be tricky. The afternoon rises to 6ft with a 13-second period, but the cross-on E wind messes it up.

From Monday the 14th onwards, the surf fades into poor territory. We’re talking onshore winds, rain showers, thunderstorms, and tiny waves in the 2ft to 4ft range. The wave energy drops to 120 or less – weak stuff. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during that stretch.

So to keep it simple: Tuesday the 8th morning is the only true standout – a solid 8ft SSE swell with clean offshore wind. For the less experienced, Saturday the 12th morning with a 4ft S swell and glassy conditions is your best bet. Everything else is a gamble or a rest day.

Rusty.

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