Menakoz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the second week is looking like the real deal if you’ve got the nerve. The first few days are a write-off for decent waves, so don’t be in a rush.

Menakoz is the only game in town, and it’s a proper reef set-up, so it’s for experts only. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird there.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are a total bust. Tiny 2ft swell from the NW with a short, weak period of 8 seconds, and the energy is pathetic (37-65). Winds are cross or cross-off, but the surf is just poor. Don’t bother.

Saturday the 5th morning is where things perk up. We get a clean 3ft swell from the NNW, but here’s the kicker – the period jumps to 14 seconds, and the combined energy hits 426 (moderate). It’s glassy, light air, and the break is fairly exposed to that NNW direction. The waves will be long-period groundswell, so they’ll have proper shape, but on a reef, that’s a good thing. It’s still small, but it’s the first real sign of life. The afternoon gets messy with cross-shore wind and the swell jumps to 5ft, but the quality drops off.

Sunday the 6th is a no-go. Cross-on and onshore winds ruin the 4ft-4ft swell. Not worth a paddle.

There’s a dry spell from Monday the 7th through to Wednesday the 13th. The swell is small, weak, and the winds are mostly onshore or cross-on. The energy is low (52-305). You’ll be fighting bad conditions for tiny waves. It’s a real frustrating stretch.

Now, mark your calendar for Monday, September 14th. This is the standout. The morning is glassy – dead calm, zero wind. The swell is a solid 6ft from the NW, with a very long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is a powerful 1339 (strong). This is a serious groundswell. For a reef break like Menakoz, that’s dreamy. The waves will have long, lined-up walls, and the paddle out will be easier between sets. It’s an expert-only zone, so the crowd is often a factor, but with that quality, it’s worth the pack. The afternoon gets a bit onshore, so the morning is the window.

Tuesday the 15th still holds decent size (6ft) and long period (13 seconds), but the wind is light cross-shore in the morning, turning onshore in the afternoon. The energy is still high (946), but it’s not as clean as Monday. Good for those who missed the peak.

After that, the swell fades. Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th drop back to small, weak waves with poor winds. Friday the 18th is a ghost town with a tiny 3ft NW swell and low energy.

So, the real winner is Monday, September 14th. The only serious swell window with glassy conditions and a long-period groundswell hitting the reef. If you’re an expert, that’s your day. The rest of the forecast is mostly waiting or dealing with mediocrity.

Stay stoked,
Rusty.

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