Nimitz Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tease to start. The first proper surf we can get excited about isn’t until this coming Sunday afternoon, the 6th of September, and even then, there are a few hurdles.

Overall, we’re looking at a patchy run. There’s a decent pulse of long-period swell that comes through, but the conditions are a mixed bag. There’s a gap of a few days with nothing to recommend, but once we get past the first week, things start to look a bit cleaner.

Let’s talk about Nimitz Beach. It’s a reef setup, inconsistent, and a beginner-friendly wave when it’s small. This first recommendation on Sunday afternoon sees a 6 ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, showing moderate to strong combined wave energy (1599). The water is warm at 81°, pretty average for this time of year. The wind is a cross-off from the ENE at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean. It’s not a massive standout, but it’s rideable.

Monday the 7th is a write-off. The swell sticks around, getting up to 6 ft SW with a 13-second period on Monday afternoon (combined energy of 2885), but the cross-breeze from the ESE cranks up to 22 mph, making it lumpy and choppy. Not worth paddling out.

Tuesday the 8th is even worse. The wind swings onshore from the S at 22 mph with a 8 ft S swell, and the period drops to 9 seconds. It’s a messy, blown-out mess. Even the clearer afternoon with a 6 ft SSW swell is too choppy from the cross-on breeze.

We hit a real dry spell from Wednesday the 9th through to Saturday the 12th. The swell drops off to under 3 ft, with long periods (14–18 seconds). The energy is weak (down to around 258–589), and the wind is never quite right. It’s mostly cross-on or onshore, and the wave comment is “marginal” or “poor”. Nothing to get out of bed for.

Now, Sunday the 13th is the first true standout. The morning is glassy – absolutely dead calm with a 2 ft SSW swell and a 15-second period. The combined energy is low (224), but with zero wind and that long period, the shape should be clean as a whistle. It’s tiny, but if you’re on a log, it’ll be a dream. The afternoon gets a light cross-breeze, but the morning is the pick of the day.

Then we get another quiet spell, but there are a few windows. Monday afternoon the 14th goes glassy again with a 2 ft SSW swell that has a ridiculous 22-second period. Combined energy is moderate (403). That’s a long-period groundswell, and with no wind, it’ll be silky smooth, but at that size, a reef break can be a bit fat. It’s a fun afternoon finesse session.

The next real highlight comes on Wednesday the 16th of September. The afternoon shows a 3 ft SSW swell, 18-second period, with combined energy of 611. The wind is a light cross-off from the ENE, and the wave comment says “very good surf conditions.” That’s the best combination of size, period, and wind of the run so far. It’s small, but clean and punchy.

Thursday the 17th afternoon also has a good window: 3 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, light cross-off breeze, and a “very good” wave comment. Consistent energy (556).

Then we get the biggest swell of the outlook on Friday the 18th of September. The afternoon sees a 4 ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, strong combined energy (764), and a fresh cross-off breeze from the NE. The wave comment is “very good.” This is a proper groundswell pulse. It’s not huge, but with that period and clean wind, Nimitz should start offering some nice lines.

Finally, the morning of Saturday the 19th of September is another pearl. Glassy conditions, 3 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and moderate energy (529). “Very good” wave conditions. That’s the kind of session you wait for.

To round out the period, Sunday the 20th of September afternoon has a clean cross-off breeze and a 3 ft SSW swell, 15-second period, with “good” wave conditions.

So, here’s the call: If you want the best of it, I’d pick the morning of Sunday the 13th of September for glassy, tiny perfection, or the afternoon of Wednesday the 16th of September for a slightly bigger and punchier wave with clean wind. The morning of Saturday the 19th of September is also a real gem. For those longer windows, just keep an eye on the wind. When that cross-off or glassy condition shows up, jump on it. Crowds at Nimitz can be a thing sometimes, so don’t expect solitude. Stay patient, and you’ll get some nice ones.

Rusty

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