Point Cartwright/Secrets Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checking in on the stretch from Point Cartwright across the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a tough outlook for us – a whole lot of waiting for something to get going. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t come until late in the first weekend, and even then, it’s a bit rough around the edges.

Our first bit of swell pops up Sunday morning, the 30th of August. We’re looking at a 6 ft swell out of the SE, but that period’s a short 7 seconds, so it’s gonna be gutless and messy. The wind is offshore out of the SSE at 16 mph, which cleans it up, but the wave quality is only marginal. The combined swell energy is moderate at 314, so there’s some push, but that short period means it’ll close out quickly. This spot is an advanced reef and point, and with it being just over beginner height, it’s worth a look for the more experienced crew, but keep the expectations in check. The water’s sitting at 69°, which is about average for this time of year.

The outlook then goes pretty flat into a long gap. From Sunday afternoon right through to the afternoon of Friday the 11th of September, it’s nothing but tiny, poor surf – mostly under 2 ft with weak energy. That’s a solid 11-day stretch of almost nothing. The wind is a mixed bag of onshore and cross-off, but the swell just isn’t there to do anything with it.

Finally, we get a flicker of hope on Friday the 11th of September. The morning shows a 1 ft SE swell with a 13-second period, which is a proper long-period groundswell, and the wind is a light cross-off from the ESE at 9 mph, keeping the surface clean. The combined energy is 77 – still weak – but the long period gives it a bit of shape. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon picks up slightly to a 2 ft swell from the SE, 13 seconds, and the wind drops to a light 6 mph cross-off, with combined energy at 106 (moderate). This is the best we’ve got, but it’s nothing to write home about. The same subtle trend continues into the morning of the 12th of September – 1 ft, 12-second period, light cross-off, energy at 97.

The one standout – if I’m being honest, there’s no big standout, but if you’re desperate, focus on Friday afternoon the 11th of September at Point Cartwright/Secrets. That 2 ft SE swell at 13 seconds is the cleanest and most well-structured wave of the whole run. The light ESE cross-off wind (6 mph) will keep it glassy. It’s tiny, so only for the small-wave crew, but the long period means a nice, peeling wave on the point. It’s an advanced spot and it’s often crowded, so expect company out there.

The rest of the window? A whole lot of nothing. Swells stay under 3 ft with mostly poor conditions. The 13th of September sees a 4 ft E swell at 6 seconds in the morning, with light cross-off wind, and that’s another surfable but ordinary session. After that, it fades again.

So, it’s a long, lean run. Get out there Friday the 11th if you can – it’s the only time the stars kind of align. Otherwise, keep the board in the car and wait for a better window.

Rusty.

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