Redhead Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break it down for Redhead over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you—this isn’t a prime stretch for paddle surfing. The first ten days or so are mostly a write-off, with only a couple of moments where you might snag a half-decent wave. The real highlight, if you can call it that, doesn’t show up until late in the period, and it’s far from guaranteed.

Right from the start, Thursday the 13th, we’ve got tiny swell—about 1 ft to 2 ft from the ENE with a period around 10 seconds, but the winds are messy: onshore or cross-shore. The combined wave energy is weak (30 or less). Water temp is about 63°F, which is a bit colder than average for this time of year—you’ll feel that chill. It’s just poor surf conditions, so don’t bother.

Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th are still tiny. Friday morning does go glassy with a light WSW breeze at 3 mph, and that’s clean, but with only 1 ft on the face and combined energy of 18, you’re basically floating. Not worth the paddle.

Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th see a bit more size—up to 4 ft on Monday morning from the ESE, with the period dropping to a short 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs into moderate territory (154), but that’s wind swell, and the cross-onshore winds at 9–12 mph chop it up. The wave comment calls it poor surf conditions, and I’ve gotta agree. You could wrestle it, but it won’t be fun.

The first real chance comes on Wednesday the 19th morning. Redhead sees clean, glassy conditions with no wind and a 4 ft ESE swell—still a short period of 7 seconds, but the calm air makes it surfable, though very ordinary. Combined energy sits at 196, so there’s some push. It’s the best of a rough week, but not a standout.

From Thursday the 20th through the end of the first week, things drop off again. Swell sizes range from 1 ft to 4 ft, with some light offshore winds (NNW or N) on a few mornings, but the energy stays low—usually under 100. Thursday the 20th morning has a 4 ft SE swell at 7 seconds, with a light NNW offshore, so that’ll be clean but weak. For a proper groundswell, you need more period.

The second week—from Monday the 24th onward—is a dry spell. Sizes stay under 2 ft, mostly from the ENE or E, with periods around 6–10 seconds. Winds are often cross-off or offshore, keeping it clean, but the wave energy is low (mostly below 70). Monday the 24th morning has a 2 ft ENE swell with a clean cross-off breeze—surfable but very ordinary. It’s a real stretch to call anything here a session.

Then it crashes from Thursday the 27th. Strong southerly winds at 25–28 mph, tiny 0.3 ft–0.7 ft swell, and messy conditions. That’s kite-surfing weather, not paddle surfing. Combined energy drops to single digits.

So, what’s the best on offer? Honestly, the whole 16-day window is rough. The only moment that stands out—barely—is Wednesday the 19th morning. The glassy conditions at Redhead give that 4 ft ENE swell a chance to be rideable, and with a beginner-friendly reef break that’s fairly consistent, you could get a few fun ones. But the short period (7 seconds) means the waves won’t have much shape or power—it’ll be a bit fat and crumbly. Crowds are possible here (the guidance says “sometimes”), so you might have company. If you’re a beginner, that 4 ft is fine; if you’re more advanced, it’s weak.

No other period offers quality surf. The rest is either too small, too choppy, or too windy. If you’re itching for a paddle, check the clean mornings with offshore winds (like the 22nd or 24th), but don’t expect much.

Bottom line: Redhead is in a flat spell. It’s one of those stretches where the ocean just isn’t cooperating. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d say give the board a rest and check back later. I’ll be watching for a proper swell.

Rusty.

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