Middleton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching the charts for Middleton Beach. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a genuine window of solid groundswell that’ll get the blood pumping. Just don’t expect clean beginner waves for most of it.

The first few days are a write-off for quality surfing. Monday afternoon (31 August) the swell is already a meaty 9.8 ft from the SW, with a very long 17-second period, and that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is pumping at 4601 (moderate to strong), but the wind is a cross-off from the SW at 30 km/h, and the water is sitting at 62.9 °F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. It’s rideable for experienced surfers, but the forecast calls it marginal, and the offshore wind isn’t clean enough. Tuesday and Wednesday (1-2 September) are similar – big swell (6.9 ft to 11.5 ft), decent periods (13-15 seconds), and moderate to fresh cross-off breezes. The energy stays moderate to strong (2338-4335), but the winds keep the surface a bit lumpy. It’s doable, but not the best.

Then we get a brief window of hope. Thursday morning, 3 September – the wind swings to the NW at 25 km/h, going offshore, and that’s a game changer. The swell sits at 11.5 ft, 15 seconds from the SSW, and the energy is 5488 (strong). This is clean, offshore, and powerful. It’s rated excellent for experienced surfers, but with that size, it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing. The afternoon stays offshore from the W at 35 km/h, but it’s a fresh breeze, so it’ll be a bit wild.

The real standout, though, is the proper pulse coming in. Friday 4 September – the morning swell hits 19.7 ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period. That’s a massive, very long period groundswell, and the combined energy is 16780 (very strong). The wind is a cross-off from the WSW at 35 km/h, so it’s clean, but 19.7 ft is expert-only territory. The afternoon holds at 18.0 ft, still clean and cross-off, with energy at 14281. This is the big one for the crew who can handle it, but it’s not a day for beginners – that’s way over 8.2 ft.

Saturday 5 September gets messy. The morning has a NNW cross-off at 40 km/h, dropping the swell to 6.9 ft, and the afternoon brings a near-gale from the WSW at 50 km/h with 16.4 ft swell. The conditions are poor, rated zero. Not worth paddling out.

Sunday 6 September through to the end of the first week sees a lot of clean, cross-off conditions, but the swell is consistently over 9.8 ft, and the winds are moderate to fresh. The water’s been warm, but the crowds at Middleton Beach are sometimes an issue, and this spot is very sheltered. The optimum swell direction is SSE, but we’re getting SW and SSW – that’s not ideal for this break, so the waves won’t be as good as the numbers suggest.

Into the second week, the pattern holds. Monday 7 September has a 14.8 ft to 16.4 ft SSW swell, 17-second period, and energy around 12333-15129. Clean, cross-off, but it’s big. Tuesday 8 September morning is a glimmer – light NW wind at 5 km/h, almost glassy, with 11.5 ft SW swell and 16-second period. The energy is 6564, and it’s described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the best of the week for the crew who can handle it. The afternoon turns onshore from the E at 15 km/h, so it’s only a morning window.

Wednesday 9 September to Saturday 12 September keeps throwing 11.5 ft to 13.1 ft SSW swells, with periods of 15-18 seconds. The winds are mostly cross-off and moderate. Another standout is Thursday 10 September morning – light WSW breeze at 10 km/h, 9.8 ft SW swell, 15 seconds, and energy at 4249. It’s labelled excellent for experienced surfers, and that light wind will keep it clean. But again, the swell direction is not the optimum SSE for Middleton Beach, so it’s a bit of a compromise.

The forecast from 13 September onwards fades. The swell drops to 8.2 ft, the winds get messy – onshore from the E and cross-on from the ENE – and the energy drops to 2850-2997. Poor conditions, with a few marginal sessions. By 15 September, the swell is down to 6.2 ft-7.2 ft, with fresh cross-off winds, but the energy is weak (1670-1869) and the conditions are poor.

So, the best on offer: Thursday morning

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