Number Threes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.

First off, the water temp at Number Threes is sitting around 81°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothing to write home about.

Now, looking at the 16-day window, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag. The first few days have some south swell rolling in, but the conditions are marginal. Wednesday the 26th through Thursday the 27th see a solid long-period S swell (17-18 seconds) but the wave heights are small – 2ft to 4ft. The wind is a fresh cross-off from the ENE, which would normally have me stoked, but the combined energy is only moderate (602 to 898) and the scores are low. It’s just not doing enough to get the heart pumping. Honestly, it’s one of those “maybe if you’re desperate” situations.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. From Friday the 28th all the way through to Saturday the 5th of September, the swell drops off or shifts to a short-period, wind-driven ENE swell. The heights range from 3ft to 6ft, but the period is short (6-9 seconds), which means weak, choppy waves. The wind stays cross-off and fresh, but the energy is moderate at best, and the surf quality is poor to marginal. This stretch is a write-off for decent waves – you’d be better off staying home.

Now, there’s a glimmer of hope on Sunday the 6th of September. A new SSW groundswell arrives with a long period of 17 seconds and wave heights around 3ft. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but the energy is moderate (619-634). By Monday the 7th, the swell holds at 3ft to 3ft with a period of 15 seconds, and the wind swings lighter cross-shore. This is where we see the best potential. The waves will be clean with that long-period groundswell, and the Number Threes reef setup should handle it well. It’s not big, but it’ll be fun and shaped nicely. The energy is moderate (644-701), so there’s some push.

After that, Tuesday the 8th has a bit of leftover SSW swell, but it’s fading. Then from Wednesday the 9th through Thursday the 10th, we’re back to ENE windswell with poor conditions and strong winds. Nothing to get excited about.

So, the standout? Monday the 7th of September is your best bet. The swell direction is SSW (17 degrees off the optimum SSE), the period is solid at 15 seconds, and the light cross-shore wind will keep things clean. The waves will be small but well-formed, and the reef at Number Threes will give them some shape. It’s not a day for the big guns, but for a fun, mellow session, that’s the call.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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