Sunderland Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what’s coming up for Sunderland Bay. It’s a real mixed bag, mate. We’ve got plenty of swell on the table, but the wind is going to be the main problem for a lot of it. We’ll have to pick our spots carefully.

The first chance to get wet comes on Saturday, the 5th of September. There’s a decent 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 15-second period, carrying some serious energy, but the wind is howling from the NNW at 28 mph. It’s cross-off, so the face will be clean, but that’s a strong breeze. The water is sitting at 57°F, which is a bit warmer than average for this time of year. It’s more of a ‘check it out’ session than a standout.

Sunday the 6th is a write-off. The swell jumps to 8ft from the WSW, but the wind is straight onshore, making a mess of things. Not worth it.

Monday the 7th is no better. Onshore wind and a short, weak period kill any chance of a decent wave.

We get a slight window on the morning of Tuesday the 8th. The wind swings to the west, going cross-shore with a gentle breeze, and there’s a 4ft SW swell with a 13-second period. The energy is moderate, but the wave is only marginal. Keep your expectations low.

Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th are pure grunt. We’re talking 10ft SW swell, but it’s hammered by strong onshore and cross-onshore winds. The energy numbers are massive, but that’s just raw power with no order. This is heavy, lumpy, and messy. If you’re a kite surfer, this might be your playground, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a solid pass.

Friday the 11th is still a bit messy with the cross-onshore wind, but it’s smaller at 6ft and the wind is easing off. Still, nothing to write home about.

Now, the absolute standout of the whole forecast. Saturday, the 12th of September. This is the one. The morning starts with a clean 6ft SW groundswell, a 16-second period, and a light NW cross-off breeze at only 6 mph. The energy is solid. Then, the afternoon turns glassy. The wind drops to nothing from the SSW at 3 mph, and the swell sits at a clean 5ft. The wave is “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your day. The water is still that slightly warmer-than-average 57°F, and the crowds are known to be often at Sunderland Bay, so get there early for a piece of that glassy, long-period SW groundswell. It’s a point break, so that long period will wrap in beautifully.

Sunday the 13th is back to a fresh breeze, though it’s cross-off, so it’s clean but small at 4ft. The energy is weak.

Monday the 14th offers a small, clean 3ft wave with a gentle offshore wind from the north. It’s a learner-friendly day, but the energy is very low.

The second week gets interesting again. Tuesday the 15th of September morning sees a big 10ft SW swell with a clean cross-off wind. The energy is strong. But be warned, this is big and the wind is clean, making it a heavy, expert-only prospect. The afternoon turns messy with onshore wind.

Wednesday the 16th morning is an 8ft SW swell with onshore wind – poor conditions.

The tail end of the forecast, Sunday the 20th of September, shapes up as a decent option. The morning has a 5ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period, a clean cross-off wind, and moderate energy. The afternoon is even better, with the swell bumping to 5ft and the period stretching to 18 seconds, still clean with a cross-off breeze. The energy is solid. It’s a promising end to the outlook, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on those forecasts.

So, to sum it up: there’s a lot of slop and wind to wade through, but the glassy session on Saturday the 12th is the real jewel. If you’re chasing bigger, cleaner waves, the morning of Tuesday the 15th is for experts only.

Rusty.

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