Mount Cameron Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what we’ve got on the cards. The first surf worth mentioning kicks off on Sunday the 23rd of August, but to be honest, it’s not a pretty start. The swell is already pushing 12 ft from the SW, but we’ve got a cross-onshore WNW breeze at 9 mph putting a chop on it. The wave energy is strong though, sitting at 6505 (combined energy). Water temp is 56°, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year, so not too bad on the skin.

That Sunday arvo stays similar – 12 ft SW swell, still cross-onshore, still messy. Not the kind of day you rush out for.

Monday the 24th sees the swell drop a bit to 10 ft, but it’s still cross-onshore and cloudy. The energy drops to 2948, but the conditions are pretty average. By Monday afternoon, the swell’s down to 8 ft and the wind goes cross, but it’s not clean. Not a standout.

Now, Tuesday the 25th is where it starts looking interesting. Early morning we get a light NE offshore breeze at 6 mph, with a 8 ft SW swell. The period is a solid 13 seconds, so there’s some proper groundswell in the water, and the energy is 3062 – moderate to strong. The report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the early days. That offshore wind will clean it right up. Mount Cameron is an exposed beach and reef setup, and with that long period SW swell, the reef and points should handle it nicely. The afternoon stays clean too, with a light cross-offshore N breeze. Crowds can be a problem here sometimes, so get in early.

Wednesday the 26th goes downhill. SW wind picks up to 12 mph, cross-onshore, and the swell is still 8 ft but choppy. Not worth it.

Thursday the 27th is small and choppy. Swell drops to 6 ft in the morning, then 3 ft in the arvo, but the wind is onshore and lumpy. No good.

Friday the 28th looks promising again. Morning sees a 12 ft WSW swell with a long 17-second period, and onshore SW wind at 6 mph. The energy is massive at 7819. It’s not perfect wind, but that long-period groundswell will produce some proper lines, especially on the reef. The score is a 7, which is the highest in the whole run. This is the real standout. The afternoon goes cross-onshore again, so the morning is the window.

Saturday the 29th is a write-off. Strong onshore wind, messy, 8 ft swell but poor.

Sunday the 30th sees the swell jump to 13 ft from the SW, with a 15-second period and onshore WSW wind at 12 mph. Energy is 7380 – very strong. But it’s onshore and bumpy. This is big, powerful surf – only for experienced crew. Beginners should sit this one out. The afternoon stays similar at 12 ft.

Monday the 31st has 10 ft WSW swell, 16-second period, onshore W wind at 9 mph. Energy is 6436. Still big and onshore. Not clean.

Tuesday the 1st of September gets messy again. Strong WNW wind, 19 mph, cross-onshore, 13 ft swell. Lumpy and poor.

Wednesday the 2nd shows a bit of improvement. NNW wind at 12 mph, cross-offshore, with 12 ft WSW swell. The period is 13 seconds, energy 3909. The wind is clean, so the surf will be smoother than the previous days. Worth a look for the experienced surfer.

Thursday the 3rd is back to poor – strong onshore wind, lumpy.

Friday the 4th is similar, onshore and choppy.

Saturday the 5th of September looks like another big one. 13 ft W swell in the morning, building to 15 ft WNW in the afternoon, with onshore to cross-onshore wind. Energy hits 8352 in the arvo. This is serious size – only for experts, and the wind isn’t ideal.

Sunday the 6th stays big at 13 ft, cross-shore wind, still messy.

Monday the 7th is the biggest of the run – 20 ft WSW swell with a 14-second period and onshore wind at 19 mph. Energy is 13780 – very strong. This is massive, dangerous surf. Not for paddling. If you’re into kite surfing, this setup might be more your thing, but for a surfboard, it’s a no-go.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are Tuesday the 25th morning with clean offshore wind and solid 8 ft SW groundswell, and Friday the 28th morning with that big 12 ft, 17-second WSW groundswell and the highest score of the forecast. The rest is either too windy, too big, or too messy. There’s a gap of poor days between the 29th and the 2nd of September, but Friday the 28th is the one to circle.

Rusty.

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