Rock Wave Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Right, let’s get straight into it for Rock Wave (a reef break, intermediate territory). The 16-day window starts with a bit of a slow burn early in the week – nothing really firing until later on, so be patient.

We kick off on Monday the 24th with small 3.3ft swell from the S, period a weak 11 seconds. The wind is a light cross-on from the S, 6 mph, but the combined energy is only 265 – real weak sauce. The water’s sitting at 65.1°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, by about 2.5°. The surf is marginal at best and the score is low, so Monday is a write-off.

Tuesday the 25th brings a bigger pulse – morning sees 3.6ft from the SSW with a *very* long period of 17 seconds. Combined energy jumps to 1120 (moderate). Wind is light cross from the SSW at 6 mph. That long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely for a reef setup like this, but the score is still pretty average. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 5.6ft but period drops to 16 seconds and the wind picks up to 9 mph, making it cross-shore and bumpy. Still not great.

Wednesday the 26th looks messy. Morning has 6.6ft S swell, 17-second period, combined energy 2346 – that’s building. Wind shifts ESE at 6 mph, onshore with rain showers. The surf is marginal. Afternoon gets nasty – swell bumps to 8.2ft but the wind swings E at 12 mph cross-onshore, and the combined energy hits 3601. Choppy and poor. Avoid it.

Thursday the 27th is a total blowout – strong NE winds at 22-25 mph, cross-shore, lumpy, and the swell drops to 4.6-4.9ft. Combined energy down to 856. No go.

Friday the 28th – now we’re talking. Morning brings 6.6ft E swell, period 10 seconds, combined energy 1131. Wind is NNE at 9 mph, cross-offshore – clean lines. Conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is the first standout of the forecast. E swell on a reef at 6.6ft will produce some nice, pushy waves. For intermediates, that’s a solid size but manageable if you’re on your game. Crowds are possible here – it’s a known spot that can get busy.

Saturday the 29th is still running 6.6ft E swell, 10-second period, energy 1044, but the wind is NE at 9 mph, cross-shore, creating slight chop. Better than the garbage earlier, but not as clean as Friday morning. By afternoon it’s tiny (2.0ft) – don’t bother.

Sunday the 30th pulls a good one: morning has 5.2ft E swell, 11-second period, energy 675, with a nice NNW cross-offshore breeze at 9 mph – clean. Then Sunday afternoon turns it on with just 3 mph from the ESE – glassy as glass. 4.6ft E swell, 11-second period, combined energy 593. That’s a real gem for the late session. Clean, glassy reef waves – small but fun for ripping. Best bet of the early window alongside Friday morning.

After Sunday, it goes quiet for a stretch. Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September are small with cross/onshore winds, scores low. Wednesday the 2nd sees a spike – morning 5.2ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, combined energy 1195, and light cross-shore SSW breeze at 6 mph. That’s a legitimate groundswell pulse, and the reef will love it. Marginal label, but the numbers are decent. The afternoon stays small and cross-on.

Then it gets wild. Thursday the 3rd of September – big swell pushing in. Morning 6.2ft S, 10-second period, but wind howling SSW at 16 mph cross-onshore. Poor. Afternoon absolutely bins it: 14.8ft SE, period 10 seconds, combined energy 4579 – huge but messy onshore wind, garbage.

Friday the 4th of September is monstrous – 16.4ft SE swell, 11-second period, combined energy 5711. Onshore wind from the S at 12 mph. *This* is kite-surf territory, not for paddling. Saturday the 5th of September morning is the big standout of the whole window. Swell drops to 13.1ft from the E, 10-second period, combined energy 6078 – strong to very strong. Wind is NNE at just 3 mph, cross-offshore – clean as a whistle. Exceptional conditions for expert surfers. That is a serious groundswell, big and powerful. Not for beginners or

Read more