Narrabeen-Alley Rights Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you—this 16-day outlook for the Northern Beaches is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, flat spell with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The first real chance of anything rideable won’t show until Monday the 14th of September, and even then it’s nothing to write home about. For a spot as exposed as Narrabeen-Alley Rights, that’s a solid ten-day gap with no recommendations, just poor surf conditions from Thursday the 3rd right through to Sunday the 13th. It’s a proper dry spell, and for this area, that’s pretty normal when the windows close up.

Let’s talk about that Monday the 14th of September. It’s the first day we get a bit of life. Monday morning brings a small 3ft swell from the NE, with a short period of 7 seconds—so it’s pretty weak and a bit mushy. The combined swell energy sits at 110 (moderate), and the wind is a clean cross-off from the north at 15 mph. That’s about the best wind we get all outlook. The water’s sitting around 64°F, which is pretty average for this time of year. It’s surfable, but only just. Nothing to get excited about. The afternoon picks up a little to 5ft from the NE, but the period drops to 5 seconds, making it very short and lumpy—still messy, and the cross-off wind stays clean, but it’s not quality surf. This is really for the die-hards who just need to get wet.

Tuesday the 15th of September shows a little more promise on the morning. 4ft from the NE, period 8 seconds, with a moderate offshore from the NNW at 25 mph. Clean conditions, and combined energy is 135—still moderate. It’s surfable, but the swell is small and a bit weak. The afternoon drops back to 3ft, same direction and clean offshore. Just ordinary.

Wednesday the 16th offers similar stuff: 3ft from the ENE in the morning, period 8 seconds, light offshore from the NNW at 15 mph, clean. Combined energy at 98 (weak). Light rain likely. The afternoon holds 2ft from the NE, moderate offshore. Nothing to make you rush down.

Now, if any day stands out as the best on offer, it’s tough, but I’d point to Tuesday the 15th of September—specifically the morning. It’s the cleanest, with a steady offshore wind and the biggest swell of the week at 4ft. It’s still only for advanced surfers though—this break is all sandbar and beach, and with a short period, it’s not going to be a classic. It’s the standout only because the rest is so flat or messy.

Dark horse mention: Thursday the 17th of September brings a jump in swell—6ft from the SSE in the morning, period 6 seconds. The combined energy hits 194 (moderate-strong), but the wind is a fresh offshore from the WNW at 30 mph. That’s clean, but that short period and the size over 5ft makes it expert-only territory. It’s raw, not refined. The afternoon stays similar at 5ft with fresh cross-off wind. For the brave and the skilled, this could be a cracker, but it’s not for beginners.

After that, Friday the 18th fades fast: 3ft from the E, messy cross-winds and strong breezes. The window closes.

So, bottom line: if you’re desperate, the morning of Tuesday the 15th or the early session on Thursday the 17th are your best shots. The rest is a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a lean run.

Rusty.

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