Monwabisi Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, listen up, it’s been a bit of a slow start, but we’ve got a serious window of quality on the horizon. Our main spot is Monwabisi Strand, a sandbar setup that’s fairly consistent. The water is sitting at 58°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit, maybe even booties.

We kick off on Saturday, September 5th, but to be honest, it’s a write-off. Onshore winds and a cross-chop are making a mess of the 6ft SE swell. Sunday the 6th is where we start to see a flicker. The morning is looking like a real standout. A clean, cross-offshore breeze from the E at 9 mph is grooming a 6ft SSW swell. The period is a very long 18 seconds, which is proper groundswell. This is a point-break style swell, so at a sandbar it might break a little straight, but the energy is massive (1906 combined energy). This is for experienced surfers only, as it’s a powerful, clean wave.

Monday the 7th holds some promise too. The morning is clean with a light NW breeze at 3 mph and a 4ft, 14-second SSW swell (680 energy). It’s a good, manageable size with clean conditions. The afternoon turns a bit cross-on, so get your session in early.

Tuesday the 8th is a glassy morning with a tiny 3ft S swell, perfect for a longboard or a beginner wanting to learn in clean conditions. After that, we go into a bit of a lull. Wednesday and Thursday the 9th and 10th are pretty average with onshore winds and small, messy surf. Thursday the 10th does have a 6ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-on from the SSE, so it’s a choppy mess.

The following week gets a bit messy with a lot of cross-shore wind and lumpy conditions. The swell hangs around, but the quality drops. Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th both have clean cross-offshore winds in the mornings with head-high SSW swell, but the confidence is lower. It’s worth checking the dawn patrol.

Now, the real standout of the whole forecast is Thursday, September 17th. The morning is looking crisp. A light E breeze at 3 mph, glassy conditions, and a solid 7ft SSE swell (1446 energy). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, and the wind is cross-offshore, keeping it clean. That’s the day to circle.

After that, the swell drops off heading into the final weekend. Saturday, September 19th is small and clean, but only 2ft. Then, on Sunday, September 20th, the models are hinting at a monster. An 12ft SW swell with 14-second period (7643 combined energy) is predicted, but it’s coming in with a strong onshore wind. The model says it’s too big for this break, and I’d have to agree. That kind of power and wind at a sandbar is going to be a washing machine.

So, to wrap it up: the best bet is Sunday morning the 6th for the experienced crew, and Thursday morning the 17th for the clean, big wave session. The in-between days are a gamble, so keep an eye on the wind.

Rusty.

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