Publics Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Publics (beach and reef) are a bit of a mixed bag, and honestly, most of it’s pretty average. We’ve got plenty of swell on the way, but the wind is the main problem for a lot of it. The water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is about ordinary for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real chance of anything decent is on Tuesday the 8th of September. The swell is pumping up to 15 ft from the east with a 12-second period, and the wind finally swings offshore from the NNE at 19 mph. That’s the big one – the combined energy is massive at 6480, so this is for experienced surfers only. It’s a standout, but it’s a heavy day. The Tuesday afternoon eases a bit to 12 ft from the east, still offshore from the north at 16 mph, and the energy’s still strong at 2676. That’s your best window for a solid, clean session.

Wednesday the 9th of September is also worth a look. The morning has 10 ft easterly swell with a 9-second period, light cross-shore wind, and decent energy (1508). But the real gem is the afternoon – glassy conditions with 10 ft east swell, 9-second period, and the combined energy at 1555. It’s clean, it’s solid, and it’s for experienced crew.

Before that, from the 30th of August right through to the 7th of September, it’s pretty grim. The wind is a fresh cross-offshore breeze from the ENE at 22 mph or more, making it a constant battle. The swell is there, mostly 6 ft to 12 ft from the ENE, but the period is short (7-8 seconds) and the energy is moderate to strong. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” or “marginal” for most of that stretch. The 5th of September afternoon has a longer 13-second period and big energy (4649), but it’s with a risk of thunderstorms and cross-off wind, so it’s still messy.

After the 9th, things drop off again. The 10th through the 14th of September sees smaller swell (5 ft to 7 ft), short period, and mostly cross-on or cross-off winds. The 11th of September afternoon has a glassy moment with 7 ft east swell, but it’s only a brief window and the energy is moderate. The rest is just marginal.

So, if you’re keen, lock in Tuesday the 8th of September morning for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful surf – but it’s big and for experts only. The Wednesday the 9th of September afternoon is the other standout, with glassy conditions and solid 10 ft waves. The rest of the run is a write-off, with a long gap of poor conditions from the 30th of August up to the 7th.

Rusty.

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