Shipstern Bluff Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the next couple weeks at Shipstern Bluff. The first day is just too much. You're looking at waves over 16 feet, with that long 16-second period, and the energy is just pumping—figures around 19661 to 20692. It's a maelstrom. The wind is either side-shore or blowing on it, so it's just a white-water mess. Not a chance.

Then, Saturday morning, the 12th, is a window. The surf drops to a solid 8 feet, still from the SSW, but the period holds at 16 seconds. The energy eases to 3393, which is still strong but workable. The key is the wind: a light 3 mph offshore from the WNW. That's glassy. This is one of the best looks. It's heavy, it's clean, and it's for the experienced crew only.

Saturday afternoon gets a little lumpy with an onshore cross-breeze, so the morning is your time.

Sunday the 13th brings a moderate offshore from the north-northwest at 12 mph, with waves around 5-6 feet. It’s clean, but the size is down, energy at 1324. A good, mellow, but still powerful day for those who know the break. The afternoon, the wind goes light offshore but the surf fades a bit more.

Monday the 14th is small and weak—waves under 3 feet and the energy is gutless, readings down around 242. Not worth the paddle.

Tuesday the 15th is a complete storm-out. Near-gale winds from the west-southwest at 31-34 mph, blowing it sideways. The swell is building, but it's terrible. Avoid.

Now, Wednesday the 16th is another beast. The swell pumps back up to 16 feet, with the energy at 15922. It's powerful, serious water. The wind is side-shore, but it's predicted to be favorable. This is a big, dangerous day. Experts only. If you're not one of the best, stay on the cliff and watch.

Thursday the 17th stays big, around 16 feet early, but it’s a bit more onshore. The afternoon drops to 10 feet with a cleaner cross-offshore breeze. There’s a session in there, but it’s overshadowed by Wednesday's power.

The weekend of the 18th and 19th is a step down. Friday morning has a clean 6-foot swell with a good offshore wind. Saturday builds back up to 11-13 feet, but the period drops, and the winds are cross-offshore. It’s fun, but not the same quality as the previous weekend.

Then, it fades. Sunday the 20th is tiny and lumpy, with a cross-onshore wind. The energy is almost gone, down to around 332.

Monday the 21st has a small 6-foot swell from the south-southwest, with better winds in the morning, but the afternoon gets messy. Tuesday the 22nd brings a bit more size, up to 8 feet, with a clean cross-offshore wind, but that also gets blown out later.

From Wednesday the 23rd onwards, it's a downward slide. The swell gets small, the winds are messy, and the energy is weak, all below 1000. Thursday the 24th is just poor. Friday the 25th has some long-period swell (20 seconds) but it's side-shore and not that clean.

So, if you're picking your days, it's Saturday the 12th morning and Wednesday the 16th. The Saturday is cleaner and more manageable; the Wednesday is pure, raw power. The rest is picking through the scraps or waiting for the next pulse. It’s been a wild run, but the ocean always changes. Keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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