Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, if you’re sitting on the fence about Rivermouth over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be straight with you – it’s a mixed bag. There’s some proper size coming, but the wind and conditions are going to play games. Hang tight, because there are a couple of diamond days tucked in there if you’re patient.

We kick off on Thursday morning the 3rd of September. It’s small, with a south swell pushing 3.3 ft at 11 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-onshore out of the south at 3 mph. The water’s sitting at 66°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll want a decent spring suit. The combined energy is pretty low (276), and honestly, it’s marginal. Not worth paddling out for.

Thursday afternoon gets a bit more juice in the swell – 4.6 ft – but the wind jumps to 9 mph from the south, cross-onshore with a risk of thunderstorms. Combined energy climbs to a moderate 775, but the surface is choppy. Skip it.

Friday the 4th is a washout. Morning sees 11.5 ft of south-southeast swell, but with 16 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s a mess. Combined energy hits a strong 1973, but you’ll be fighting a washing machine. Afternoon drops to 9.8 ft, wind turns onshore from the southeast, but the forecast says it’s simply too big for this break. Not a beginner’s session by any stretch – experts only, and even then, it’s a maybe.

Saturday the 5th: morning has 6.6 ft of short-period southeast swell (8 seconds) with a cross-shore breeze from the northeast at 9 mph. Combined energy is strong at 1115, but the cross-chop makes it messy. Afternoon drops to 3.9 ft from the south at 11 seconds, cleaner cross-shore wind but with moderate breeze – still only marginal.

Sunday the 6th is weird. Morning has a tiny 1.6 ft swell but a very long 24-second period from the south-southwest. Combined energy is moderate (670). That long period means the waves will be fat and straight at a beach break, better suited to a point or reef. Afternoon bumps to 3.6 ft with 21-second period – still long, still tricky – and cross-shore wind picks up. Not great.

Monday the 7th: 4.3 ft south swell at 12 seconds in the morning, but a fresh 19 mph cross-shore northeast wind makes it lumpy. Combined energy is moderate (985). Afternoon is similar but smaller (3.3 ft) and windier. Poor.

Tuesday the 8th brings 5.6 ft east swell at 9 seconds, with a gentle cross-shore breeze. Combined energy is moderate (691). It’s marginal – you might get a few if you’re keen, but nothing special.

Now, here’s the standout. Wednesday morning the 9th of September. The swell drops a touch to 4.9 ft from the east at 9 seconds, but the wind goes glassy – dead calm from the south at 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate at 441, but the surface will be like a mirror. This is your cleanest session of the first week. Not huge, but for a beginner-friendly spot like Rivermouth, it’s about as good as it gets. The water’s still a bit cold, and crowds are sometimes an issue, but with conditions this clean, it’s worth the early paddle.

Wednesday afternoon stays okay but the wind picks up.

From Thursday the 10th through to Saturday the 12th, it goes flat and poor – tiny swells, short periods, onshore or cross-onshore winds. Combined energy drops as low as 55. A proper gap of three days where you’re better off doing something else.

Sunday the 13th afternoon: second standout. The swell jumps to 9.8 ft from the south at 12 seconds, combined energy a very strong 2346. The wind is light cross-onshore from the east at 3 mph, so it stays clean on the face. But – and this is a big but – the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Expert surfers only. If you’ve got the skill and the board, this could be a serious session.

Monday the 14th: even bigger – 11.5 ft at 16 seconds from the south in the morning (combined energy 5605), 9.8 ft in the afternoon. Wind is cross-shore and fresh. Again, too big for most. Not for beginners.

Tuesday the 15th afternoon is interesting – 3.6 ft from the south-southeast with a 15-second period, cross-offshore wind from the north-northwest at 9 mph, clean conditions. Combined energy is strong (1471). The description says excellent for experienced surfers.

Read more