Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, taking a look at what we’ve got cookin’ at Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks. This is a reef set-up, advanced territory, and it’s fairly consistent, so we’re not waiting long.

Right out of the gate, Sunday morning we’ve got a 10 ft SW swell with a quick 8-second period and a fresh cross-off breeze. The energy is strong (1648), but that short period and strong wind have it looking a bit marginal tide-wise. The water is sitting at 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. It’s not a day to get excited about.

Monday, the 31st of August, things step up in a big way. We’re looking at a 13 ft SW groundswell on the morning, with a 14-second period and a solid energy reading (6681). That’s a serious amount of water moving. The wind’s a moderate cross-off, keeping it clean, but at this size, and with that long period, it’s gonna be heavy and demanding. This is expert territory; it’ll be breaking with a lot of punch, and you want to be on your game. By afternoon, it’s up to 15 ft SW with a 16-second period and energy hitting 9537, still clean but still only for the brave. Keep an eye on those rain showers too.

Tuesday stays big, with 15 ft SW and a 14-second period, clean again with that moderate cross-off.

Wednesday’s swell drops a bit to 12 ft SW, but the wind backs off to a cross-shore, and you start to see a chop develop. It’s still big, just not as clean.

Thursday the 3rd of September sees the wind shift cross-onshore, and the quality goes out the window. Those 8 ft SW swells are just gonna be a lumpy mess. This pattern of poor conditions continues right through until Friday afternoon, when the wind swings cross-off again and we get a 10 ft SW, 16-second period swell with the energy at 4954 - the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing with that mix of big swell and cross-off wind, but for the patient surfer, it’s a sign of life.

Now, here’s where it gets good. Saturday, the 5th of September, is a standout. Morning sees a 10 ft SW swell, 14-second period, with a light cross-off breeze. But the afternoon is the real gem. It drops to 12 ft SW, 15-second groundswell, with a 3 mph cross-off breeze (5584 energy). That’s as close to glassy as you’ll get, and it’s clean perfection. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one to circle. Expect some company though; the crowds are rated as ‘rare’, so it’s not packed, but that quality will draw a few.

Sunday the 6th is a write-off with onshore winds.

Monday the 7th of September, we see another pulse, a 16 ft WSW swell with a 13-second period and massive energy (8860), but it’s howling onshore. A total no-go.

We get another excellent window on Tuesday the 8th of September. Morning has an 12 ft SW, 14-second groundswell, with a near-slight air cross-off, and it’s described as clean and excellent. That’s a prime session.

Then we hit a lull. The swell drops and the winds are messy for a few days.

The next real standout comes on Saturday the 12th of September. Morning session sees a 15 ft WSW groundswell, 14-second period, and the wind is glassy. The energy is huge (6860). That’s a serious groundswell with perfect conditions for the experts. It doesn’t get much better than that for a big-wave reef.

Sunday the 13th holds clean with a 10 ft SW swell and a cross-off breeze. Monday the 14th finishes the run with a 6 ft SW, 16-second period groundswell, and a clean, cross-off breeze (2555 energy). A nice, clean way to end the outlook.

So, to wrap it up: If you’re an expert, the absolute standouts are the afternoons of Saturday the 5th of September and the morning of Saturday the 12th of September. The 5th is the cleanest, most manageable big swell, while the 12th is a pure, glassy beast. Both are worth bending your schedule for.

Rusty.

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