Menakoz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about Menakoz.

We’ve got a mixed bag across this 16-day stretch, and it’s one of those outlooks where patience is going to be key. The first week is pretty grim, with mostly small, weak swell and messy winds. The real standout, and honestly the only session that’s got any fire in it, is the morning of Saturday the 5th and then the morning of Monday the 14th of September.

The best session on offer looks to be Monday the 14th of September, first light. The swell is 5ft from the NW, with a period of 8 seconds, and the wind is coming out of the east at just 3 mph, giving us cross-offshore conditions and clean, glassy lines. The combined wave energy is moderate at 436, and that east wind will keep the surface smooth. The water is sitting at about average temp for the time of year, no major anomaly to report. It’s not huge, but it’s rideable and clean, which is the brightest spot in this run.

Before that, the morning of Saturday the 5th of September is the next best bet. Swell is 3ft from the NNW, but the period jumps to 12 seconds, which means there’s some groundswell energy in the water. The combined energy reads 286, so moderate. The wind is light out of the ENE at 3 mph and cross-shore, keeping it fairly tidy. It’s a bit inconsistent, with long waits between sets typical of that longer period, but the shape will be better on this reef break. The afternoon gets choppier though, with 5ft NW swell and a 9 mph cross-onshore wind.

The rest of the first week is a write-off. Wednesday the 2nd through Friday the 4th are all small junk – waist high at best, with onshore or cross-onshore winds and weak energy readings around 29 to 70. The morning of Sunday the 6th has some size (5ft, NNW, 12 seconds, energy 547) but the cross-shore wind at 3 mph is barely holding it together, and the wave comment isn’t confident. The following week, from the 7th to the 11th, is mostly poor surf conditions, with small, weak swells and winds either onshore or cross-onshore. The morning of Thursday the 10th has glassy conditions with 4ft NW swell, but the energy is only moderate at 238, and it’s ordinary.

After the 14th, we drop off again. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are small and messy, with cross-onshore winds. The morning of Thursday the 17th of September has glassy conditions with a 2ft NW swell and 11-second period, but it’s tiny – more of a longboard glide than a proper surf session.

The standout spot here is Menakoz itself, a reef break that works on an optimum swell from the NNW. It’s an expert wave, so don’t paddle out if you’re not confident. Crowds are often a factor, so expect company if it’s good. The set-up here favours cleaner, longer period groundswell, which is why that 12-second swell on the 5th and the 8-second on the 14th have some hope, even if the size isn’t pumping.

So, bottom line: hold out for the morning of Monday the 14th of September, with a look-in at dawn on Saturday the 5th. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too ordinary.

Rusty.

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