Palm Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got the goods on Palm Beach for the next couple of weeks.

First off, don’t get too excited right away because the early part of this forecast is a bit of a slow burn. The water temp is sitting at about 64°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real chance to paddle out kicks off on Thursday, September 10th in the afternoon, but honestly, it’s a bit average. We’ve got a 7ft south swell pushing through with moderate wave energy (1036), but a cross wind from the south at 12 mph is going to mess with the shape. It’s surfable, but not something to race home for.

Friday morning, September 11th, is where things start to look up a little. The swell drops to a cleaner 6ft from the SSE with a nice 10-second period and moderate energy still hanging in there (564). The wind shifts to a light cross-offshore from the SSW at 6 mph, which should clean things up nicely. This is a solid session for the intermediate crowd, with the swell direction matching what the break wants (SE optimum).

Saturday morning, September 12th, the conditions turn straight-up glassy. A tiny 4ft SSE swell with a 9-second period and no wind at all from the NE. It’s a great window for beginners or a longboard session, but the energy is dropping (363), so don’t expect much push.

From Sunday the 13th through to Wednesday the 16th, we hit a bit of a lull. Swell sizes drop under 3ft, and the wind is mostly cross-onshore or just messy. The energy readings are low, mostly between 47 and 201, so it’s a good time to do some SUP or just watch the horizon. Not worth paddling out for a proper wave.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday, September 19th, is the standout window of the entire outlook. Saturday morning delivers a solid 8ft south swell with a 11-second period, and offshore wind from the WNW at 9 mph. The wave energy is pumping hard at 1638, which is a big number. This is clean, powerful, and lined up for experienced surfers only – anything over 8ft is expert territory. The afternoon session on Saturday holds a 7ft south swell with light offshore winds from the west, staying clean but slightly more manageable.

Then, Monday, September 21st, is another hidden gem. We get a 5ft SE swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is completely dead – glassy calm from the NW (0 mph), which is just about perfect. The energy is still solid at 833, so the waves will have shape and push. This is a prime day for everyone from intermediates upwards, but given the quality, expect the crowds to show up at Palm Beach.

After that, the swell fades out through the rest of the week, with a lot of choppy or cross-on conditions returning from the 22nd to the 25th. A small window on Thursday, September 24th afternoon has a 6ft ENE swell with clean cross-offshore wind from the WNW at 9 mph, but the period is short (7 seconds), so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak-feeling.

Overall, if you’re keen, aim for Friday morning, September 11th, and lock in Saturday, September 19th and Monday, September 21st as the true standouts. The rest of the time, you’re better off waiting for the next swell.

Rusty.

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