Newport-The Box Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming our way at Newport-The Box over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the opening stretch is a bit of a bust. From Monday the 31st of August right through to Friday morning the 4th of September, the swell’s got a little bit of size but the wind is all wrong – cross-on, cross, and a bit too breezy. The water’s sitting at 57° which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so factor that in if you’re paddling out.

We start seeing something a bit more hopeful on Saturday the 5th of September. The morning is the pick of the early period: glassy conditions with a light offshore from the west, and a 3ft SW groundswell (655 combined energy). That long 16-second period will really wrap in and offer up some nicely shaped waves at this breakwater. It’s a beginner-friendly break, consistent, and fairly exposed to the SW – which matches the optimum. The 1° temperature anomaly isn’t too wild, just a touch chilly. Later that arvo the cross-on picks up and it gets messy again.

Sunday the 6th of September cleans up a treat in the morning – a light cross-off breeze from the north, 2ft SW swell at 15 seconds, combined energy of 406. It’s clean, it’s rideable, and you won’t be fighting much of a crowd, though it can get a bit busy sometimes. After lunch the cross-shore chop comes in.

There’s then a long dry spell from Monday the 7th through to Tuesday the 8th of September, where the swell drops off and the wind is either cross-on or onshore. The combined energy drops below 400, so it’s weak and disorganised.

Now, the standout for the whole outlook lands on Wednesday the 9th of September. Morning sees a 7ft WNW groundswell, 13-second period, and a light cross-shore from the NNW. Combined energy is pumping at 1569 – that’s solid, moderate-to-strong energy. The swell direction matches the optimum, and it’s got that long period which is great for a set-up like The Box. The only bummer is that the wind is cross-shore, not glassy, but it’s still clean enough to tempt you. This is pushing into expert territory at 7ft – not one for beginners. After lunch the wind picks up to a moderate breeze and the quality slips.

The following morning, Thursday the 10th of September, holds a similar 6ft WNW swell with an 11-second period and 1014 combined energy, and light cross-shore conditions. It’s a tidy option if you missed Wednesday.

Friday the 11th of September is a drop-off – smaller and crossed up.

But then, Saturday the 12th of September morning is my second highlight. Clear skies, light cross-off breeze from the NNE, a 7ft WNW groundswell at 9 seconds, and combined energy of 941. It’s clean, the tide should be fine, and the swell is solid for more experienced surfers. The afternoon pumps up to 10ft with a longer 12-second period and massive 3139 combined energy – that’s very strong. But with a moderate cross-shore wind, the surface gets choppy. That size is strictly for experts.

From Sunday the 13th onward it holds chest- to head-high waves, but the wind stays cross or cross-on, and it gets inconsistent. By Tuesday the 15th of September, it’s petering out to nothing.

Best bet: Saturday 5th September morning for the glassy long-period swell, and Wednesday 9th September morning for the real power and clean lines.

Rusty.

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