Sunderland Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Sunderland Bay over the next couple of weeks. This is a south-facing point, and it’s inconsistent, so when the stars align, it can be a gem, but you’ve got to pick your windows.

We’ve got a bit of a wait, honestly. The first couple of days look messy. Thursday the 10th has a solid 8ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, but the wind is howling from the SW, so it’s onshore and choppy. That’s a lot of energy (3334) going to waste. Not worth it.

Your first real chance comes Friday morning, the 11th. The swell drops to a clean 6ft from the SW, period still a nice 15 seconds, and the wind is glassy – dead calm (0 mph). The water temperature is about average for this time of year. It’s glassy and clean, but the wave energy is moderate-high (1229). This is your best early call.

Saturday the 12th morning is the standout of the first week. You’ve got a 6ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a light N breeze – cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The energy is solid (1402). This is a great window for an intermediate surfer on a point break. It'll be clean with decent shape. Keep in mind, crowds are often a thing here, so get in early.

The rest of that weekend and into the next week is a write-off. Sunday drops off to small, and then Monday through Wednesday the wind gets nasty. On Tuesday the 15th we see a big jump to 8ft and then 10ft on the afternoon, but with strong onshore SW winds—that’s just blown-out slop and way too much energy (5756) for any fun. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle.

After that, there’s a bit of a lull. The surf drops right down on the 19th and 20th, with strong winds and tiny waves. Not worth the effort.

But hold on—Monday the 21st of September afternoon looks promising. Swell picks back up to 6ft from the SW, 14-second period, and the wind goes glassy again (5 mph, NW). The wave energy is solid (1236), and conditions are looking really clean. This is another good, glassy session on the cards.

Then Tuesday the 22nd morning has a clean 5ft SW swell with a moderate offshore NNE breeze (12 mph). It’ll be clean, but that wind is a bit stiff. Still, a solid option.

The biggest swell of the whole run rolls in on Wednesday the 23rd of September. We’re looking at a massive 10ft SW groundswell, 15- to 16-second period, and the energy is extreme (8233). But there’s a catch—the wind is cross-shore and onshore, so it’s going to be a wild, choppy mess at the point. That’s only for experts with big boards, and even then, it’s marginal because of the wind.

After that, the surf fades again through the 24th and 25th with strong winds ruining the fun.

Overall, your two absolute standouts are Friday morning, September 11th, and Monday afternoon, September 21st — both glassy or near-glassy, with clean, long-period SW groundswell. Saturday the 12th morning is also a ripper. Don’t sleep on those windows.

Rusty.

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