Salamumu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for us.

Honestly, it’s a tough stretch ahead. For the first week and a half, conditions are going to be pretty average to poor, so you might want to wait it out. The wind is just not playing ball for the most part, being cross-shore or cross-onshore and often fresh, making for choppy or lumpy conditions. There's plenty of swell energy coming through, especially around the 13th and 14th of September with combined energies hitting 1818 and 3046, but it's messy with the wind.

Salamumu is the only spot on the table. It’s an advanced reef break that’s typically consistent, and it’s exposed to the swell. The water temperature is sitting at about 27°, which is pretty much average for this time of year.

We start off with some marginal conditions on Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th. Swell is around 4ft to 5ft from the SW with a long period of 15 to 16 seconds, so there's decent groundswell energy. But the wind is a fresh cross-shore, and the wave comment basically says it’s marginal or questionable on the tide. The combined energy is strong on Wednesday morning at 1308, but it's not clean enough to get excited about.

From Friday the 11th through to Monday the 14th, it's a write-off. The wind swings cross-onshore, and conditions are described as poor. By Monday the 14th, the swell jumps to 6ft to 7ft from the SW and SSW, making it too big for beginners and only really expert territory, but again, the wind is ruining it.

There’s a bit of a glimmer on the afternoon of Thursday the 17th. The wind shifts to a fresh offshore from the N at 19 mph, which is a big positive for a clean surface. Swell is still reasonable at 4ft from the SW with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 897. The wave comment notes “clean” conditions. It’s still just a marginal call by the score, but that offshore wind makes it the best looking window in the first week.

Then we hit a real gap. From the 18th of September all the way through the 20th, it goes back to poor conditions with no real recommendations worth noting.

The standout comes later. On Monday the 21st of September, the afternoon looks like it could be the pick of the whole 16 days. Swell is 4ft from the SW with a 16-second period, giving it that groundswell quality. The wind turns offshore from the N at a moderate 12 mph, and the wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” with a combined energy of 1027, which is moderate to strong. For an advanced reef break, this could set up some proper lines. This is easily the best on offer, even if it's a week and a half away and less certain.

After that, Tuesday the 22nd and the rest of the window fades into marginal and poor again with onshore or cross-shore winds and smaller swell.

Bottom line: wait until Thursday the 17th for a small window of cleaner surf, but don’t bet the house on it. The real one to circle is the afternoon of Monday the 21st of September. For the rest, you might as well save the wax.

Rusty.

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