Number Fours Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, your local surf guide. Let’s talk about the next 16 days for Number Fours.

We’re looking at a pretty drawn-out run of onshore, wind-affected swell, with the standout period landing around the 5th to the 7th of September. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is spot on average for this time of year, so no need to worry about a spring suit just yet.

The forecast kicks off on Monday, 31st August, with a 7ft ENE swell. The wind is a fresh cross-off at 22 mph, which keeps the surface clean, but the wave comment is telling us the conditions are marginal. The combined energy is moderate (640), and the period is short at 7 seconds, so the waves will be a bit lumpy and weak. That theme continues through Tuesday, 1st September, and Wednesday, 2nd September, with the swell holding around 6ft to 7ft, still ENE, and the wind staying fresh. The energy climbs a bit (up to 930) but the period is still short, so it’s not really doing much for us.

Thursday, 3rd September, the swell pushes up to 8ft ENE, and the energy gets into the strong range (1255). Wind is strong at 25 mph, cross-off, so it’s clean but blown out. The size is getting into the intermediate-to-expert territory, but the quality is still poor. Friday, 4th September, the swell hits 10ft in the morning, with strong energy (1640), but it’s the same story – strong wind, marginal conditions. This is getting too big for beginners, and the wind is making it a messy wall for everyone else.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday, 5th September, the swell eases a touch to 8ft ENE, but the period jumps to 14 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the energy is very strong (2730). The wind drops to a moderate breeze at 16 mph in the afternoon, still cross-off. This is the best window of the whole run. The water is clean, the swell has real power, and the long period means better shaped waves. Be aware that at Number Fours, which is a reef, this long period energy will produce some nice, orderly lines. It’s still a bit hefty for the less experienced, but for intermediates and up, this is the one to circle. Saturday afternoon looks particularly good.

Sunday, 6th September, holds similar energy (3261) with a 8ft ENE swell and a 13-second period. The wind is fresh again in the morning, but the afternoon is clean. The wave comment is still marginal, so the tide might be a factor, but the power is undeniable.

Then we hit Monday, 7th September. The swell is 8ft ENE, with a 12-second period, and the wind swings to a moderate NNE at 16 mph, going offshore. This is the standout session. The energy is strong (2198), the wind is offshore and clean, and the wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a proper reef day with clean, powerful lines. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

After that, the wheels fall off. Tuesday, 8th September, the swell drops to 3ft, the wind goes onshore, and there’s a risk of thunderstorms. The energy plummets (578). The rest of the week into the 15th of September sees small, weak swells (2ft to 4ft) with fresh to strong cross-off winds, and the energy stays weak (under 400). The period is a mix of short and very long (15 to 18 seconds), but with next to no height, it’s just not worth paddling out. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations.

So, to wrap it up: the whole period is a slow burn. The 5th and 6th have the size and power, but Monday, 7th September, is the pick of the lot with clean offshore wind and a solid, long-period swell. Don’t get too excited about the rest of it.

Rusty.

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