Rat Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s going on around here.

Right now, we’re looking at a pretty bleak run for the next couple of weeks. The only spot with any recommendations is Rat Beach, a reef setup that’s more of a beginner zone. It’s an inconsistent break, so you can’t count on it firing. The water temperature at Rat Beach is 74°F, which is 8°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, almost like the ocean forgot what season it is.

The first real chance of anything decent doesn’t show up until Thursday, September 10th. Saturday afternoon the 29th of August kicks things off, but it’s tiny. We’ve got a weak 2ft swell from the west with a short 6-second period, combined swell energy is just 52, so it’s weak. Wind is a cross-on 12 mph from the west, making it choppy. Not worth paddling out.

Sunday the 30th morning looks a bit cleaner – 3ft swell from the west at 7 seconds, cross-off wind from the south at 6 mph. It’s clean, but the waves are ordinary. Afternoon gets messy again with 3ft and onshore wind. Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st are even smaller and more disappointing, with swell dropping to 2ft or less. The combined energy on Tuesday morning is only 13 – barely a ripple.

There’s a long gap from here. From Tuesday afternoon all the way through to Wednesday the 9th of September, every session is marked as poor surf conditions. We see sneaky long-period groundswell (15-16 seconds) on a few mornings, like Wednesday the 3rd, but the swell height is only 2ft and the wind is cross or cross-on. The energy readings on the 3rd are 148 and 135 – moderate energy in the water – but with that size, it’s just not doing anything.

Then, out of nowhere, Thursday the 10th of September turns the corner. The morning brings 2ft of southwest groundswell with a 17-second period, and combined energy jumps to 313 – that’s a moderate, solid pulse. Winds are light offshore from the southeast at 9 mph, making it glassy and clean. This is the standout session. For a reef break like Rat Beach, that long-period groundswell could wrap in nicely, though the size is still small for anyone looking for a proper wave. It’s the best on offer though. The afternoon holds similar conditions – 2ft, 16-second period, cross-off wind at 6 mph – still clean.

Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th see the swell ease back to 2ft and 2ft, but winds stay favorable with cross-off breezes. Conditions are clean, but the waves are very ordinary. That’s about it. From the 13th onward it’s back to poor, onshore slop.

Overall, across this whole 16-day period, there’s a massive gap of no decent surfing between the 29th of August and the 10th of September – about a week and a half of nothing. The only real window is that one morning on the 10th. For a beginner break that’s inconsistent, this blank run is pretty normal for the area. If you’re a kite surfer, some of those onshore, choppy afternoons with energetic wind might be more your scene.

Rusty.

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