Scarborough Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, checking in with a look at what Scarborough Beach has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way. The surf window opens up Wednesday afternoon, the 16th, with a clean, waist-high swell running. Swell is coming out of the WSW at 4ft, with a decent 13-second period on it, and the water is sitting at about 64°. It’s a touch cooler than usual for this time of year, about a degree and a half off, but nothing crazy. The light easterly breeze has the place looking glassy. It’s a good start for the beginners, but don't get too attached.

Thursday morning the wind swings around and things get choppy. That clean window closes fast. We then hit a long, frustrating stretch. From Thursday the 17th all the way through to Tuesday the 22nd, it’s mostly rubbish. Cross-onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and poor surf quality are the story. There's a big pulse of energy on the 19th (5794 combined energy) but it’s blown out with 25 mph onshore winds and 13ft of messy swell – that’s kite-surfing territory, not a paddlers' paradise.

Now, there’s a glimmer on Wednesday morning, the 23rd. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and we’ve got a solid 7ft of groundswell from the WSW with a 13-second period. This is the standout for the first week, offering excellent conditions, but that 7ft mark is pushing it for beginners – it’s one for the experienced crew at Scarborough. The combined energy is strong (1286). Thursday and Friday of that week are a bit of a washout with onshore chop again.

The real gold is hiding in the second week. Wait for Saturday the 26th. Morning surf is looking clean with a 7ft swell from the WSW, a 17-second period, and a moderate offshore breeze from the ESE. The energy is pumping (2324). That’s proper groundswell, and the offshore wind will have it looking like a postcard. It’s a top pick for experienced surfers, though with that longer period, it might have a bit of a lull between sets.

Then, on the very last day of the forecast, Wednesday the 30th of September, we get another glass-off. Dead calm, 7ft of WSW groundswell at a 16-second period, and excellent conditions. It’s a long way out, so don't book the time off just yet, but it’s a promising possibility.

The weekend of the 27th-29th sees a chunk of big, messy, onshore swell that’s too big for the break, so we’ll have to sit that out. For the rest of the time, it’s a lot of cross-shore chop and marginal conditions. If you’re keen on the consistent, clean waves, your best bet is to hold out for that Saturday the 26th morning session.

Rusty.

Read more