The Groin (Noosa) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and settle in, because the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat here in the Noosa region. To be honest, there’s barely a ripple on offer for the first week, and it’s not until the 14th of September that we see anything worth getting the wettie out of the closet. After that, we get a little bump but nothing special.

The only break that popped up for me was The Groin (Noosa). It’s a beginner-friendly breakwater set-up that’s fairly consistent but, mate, the swell just isn't playing ball for a long time.

Let’s run through it. From the 6th right through until the morning of the 14th, it’s a write-off. The swell is tiny, mostly below 3ft, and the period is short and weak, meaning the combined energy is pitiful (mostly in the 4 to 78 range). There’s a bit of wind protection some days, like the 8th with a light SE cross-off keeping it clean, but there’s simply no wave to surf. It’s a solid 8-day gap of nothing.

Now, Monday the 14th is the first glimmer. We get a pulse of 4ft swell from the east. The combined energy jumps up to a moderate 119, which suggests there’s finally some push. The wind is light from the SE in the morning, keeping the surf clean. It’s surfable, but it’s pretty ordinary. The swell period is only 6 seconds though – that’s short-period windswell, so the waves will be a bit fat and soft. It’s not going to be a classic Groin session, but it’s the first legit option in over a week.

Later on, Thursday the 17th afternoon sees the biggest swell of the outlook at 5ft from the NNE (combined energy 148). But there’s a catch. The wind is howling out of the NE at 12 mph, making it a moderate cross-onshore, choppy mess. The period is a pathetic 5 seconds. It’s going to be a bumpy, blown-out wall of whitewater. Probably more fun for a kite surfer than a stand-up paddler.

Other than that, there are a few near-glassy mornings – like the 15th and the morning of the 20th – but the swell is a tiny knee-high fizz of 2ft or less, so it’s not worth the trip.

The water temp is sitting at 70°F, which is about a degree cooler than normal for this time of year. Nothing crazy, just a normal autumn/winter chill.

So, plain speaking. If you’re desperate, the best bet is the morning of Monday the 14th. That 4ft east swell with the light SE wind will give you the cleanest, most surfable waves of the whole forecast, but keep your expectations real – it’s a short-period, very ordinary day. For the rest of the time, leave the board at home.

Rusty.

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