Lighthouse Right Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Lighthouse Right (Noumea-Pass).

Honestly, if you’re looking to paddle out, this is a tough stretch. The water temp is sitting at 73°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. But the surf? It’s a real mixed bag, and most of the time it’s more frustrating than fun.

We kick things off on Thursday the 16th with a 5ft SSW groundswell running at a long 16 seconds. That’s classic reef-swell energy, with combined energy at 933, a solid moderate push. The problem is the wind: it’s a cross-off from the ENE at 16 mph, so it’s not terrible, but it’s not glassy. The surf is clean, but the forecast calls it marginal, and honestly, it feels like it’s just out of sync. Friday the 17th drops off hard to 3ft with a 12-second period, and the afternoon goes flat with poor conditions. Saturday the 18th shows a bit more life with 5ft of 17-second SSW groundswell and energy jumping to 1175, but the wind is still cross-off and the waves are lumpy. It’s not a total loss, but it’s not a standout.

Then we hit a real dead zone. From Sunday the 20th through to Thursday the 24th, the surf is either non-existent or cross-on and choppy. Wind speeds hover around 19 to 25 mph, and the sea is a mess. It’s a long gap of about five days where you’re better off doing something else.

The pattern picks up a little around the 25th and 26th, but it’s still not firing. The 26th (Sunday) sees a 7ft SSW swell at 18 seconds, with combined energy cranking up to 2548—that’s serious wave energy. But the wind is cross and fresh at 19 mph, and it’s lumpy. That’s expert territory, and even then, the quality is questionable. Not a beginner’s day.

The one bright spot comes right at the end. On Friday the 31st, we get a morning session with 5ft SW swell and 10-second period, and the wind swings light from the WNW at 6 mph, cross-off. That’s clean. Energy is 471, moderate. Then the afternoon gets even better: 7ft SSW at 12 seconds, offshores from the W at 12 mph, and the energy jumps to 1280. The forecast says the swell might be a bit big for this break, and that’s a fair call—7ft over a reef can get heavy, but for the experienced crew, that’s the best window of the whole 16 days. It’s the only time the stars align.

So, if you’re an intermediate or better, keep your eyes on the 31st. Everything else in the first two weeks is either small, blown out, or just plain flat. There’s a long gap around the middle of the period with nothing to recommend. Not the best run for Noumea, but forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Read more