Mckenzies Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, Rusty here, lookin' at the charts for the next couple of weeks. We've only got one spot on the radar, Mckenzies Beach, so let's break it down.

The water is a touch warmer than what we'd normally expect this time of year, sittin' at 63°, so you won't need the thickest wetsuit, but it's not tropical either.

The first half of the week is a write-off, to be honest. A small, weak swell with a short period (4-5 seconds) and a messy cross-off wind on Saturday the 5th means the waves are there but the conditions are ordinary. Sunday and Monday are just as bad with lumpy cross-onshore junk. We're not seeing anything worth paddling out for.

Tuesday the 8th of September is the first real standout. Get up early. The morning is glassy, just a slight air, and the swell's pushin' through at 6 ft from the SSE. It's got a decent 10-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (794). The wave comment says expect very good surf conditions, and with a 10 second period, it's got some nice shape. It's a bit solid for beginners, but for the intermediate crew, that's a real fun size. The wind is glassy, so it will be clean. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-onshore breeze, so make the most of the morning.

Thursday the 10th of September is the big one. This is a serious day, and the one to circle. The morning is glassy again, and the swell jumps to a solid 7 ft from the S, with a long 10-second period. The combined energy is strong (1111). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It's not a beginner's wave at that size. The afternoon gets a bit dicey with the wind, but the swell hangs around at 8 ft with a long 11-second period and very strong energy (1815). This is the best on offer in the whole window. The direction is from the S, which is spot on for Mckenzies (optimum SE), so it'll be wrapping in nicely.

The following week is a mixed bag. There's a decent pulse on Wednesday the 16th of September with a 6 ft SSE swell and a very long 12-second period. The combined energy is strong (977), and it's a cross-breeze in the morning. Long period swells like this can be a bit too straight for an exposed beach, but Mckenzies is a point break, so it should handle it well. The wind is a cross-shore though, so it won't be pristine. The rest of the week is small and messy, with onshore winds and poor conditions.

Summary: The best windows are the mornings of Tuesday the 8th and Thursday the 10th. Thursday the 10th is the absolute standout for experienced surfers – big, clean, and powerful. The point setup at Mckenzies will handle the SSE swell well. The crowds are noted as "often," so expect company, especially on that Thursday. For the rest, it's a waiting game after the first week.

Rusty.

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