Tarcoola (Chanteez) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the next couple of weeks for Tarcoola (Chanteez). We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag—some real nice windows for the experienced crew, but plenty of time where the conditions shut it down or the swell just gets too heavy.

Right off the bat, we’re starting Wednesday morning, September 16. That’s the standout early call. Tarcoola is picking up a solid 6 ft SW swell with a sweet 14-second period, so that’s proper groundswell running in. The wind is a gentle NNW cross-off at 9 mph, cleaning the faces up real nice. Combined swell energy is pumping at 1224, so there’s plenty of push. Water temp is 68°, pretty much bang on average for the time of year. This is a break that needs the right direction, and SW is what it wants—this morning is excellent for experienced surfers. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so you might have a few others in the water, but it’s well worth the paddle out.

The rest of Wednesday and all Thursday (17th) and Friday (18th) are pretty much a write-off. The wind goes cross-on or onshore, lumps it all up, and the quality drops hard. On Friday afternoon the swell jumps to 7 ft at 12 seconds, but with a 19 mph onshore W wind, it’s just messy and not worth your time.

Saturday September 19 brings a bigger pulse—8 ft at 15 seconds, coming from WSW, with a combined energy of 3371. But it’s too big for this break, plain and simple. That’s expert-only territory, and the wind on Saturday morning is a moderate onshore breeze, so it’s going to be a handful. Not one for the everyday surfer.

Sunday morning the 20th drops to 5 ft SW with a 13-second period, and the wind goes light SSE cross at 6 mph. It’s a marginal window—only a light cross-shore breeze, but the wave state ain’t perfect. Not the best, but if you’re desperate, that’s the only half-decent slot until… well, ages.

From Sunday afternoon right through to Wednesday September 23, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. Poor conditions, choppy, onshore or strong cross-winds. Then Thursday 24th offers a tiny glimmer—Thursday morning has 4 ft at 12 seconds, but it’s still moderate cross-shore chop and scores low. Not a recommendation.

Friday September 25 we see a huge spike: 10 ft at 19 seconds, combined energy sitting at 6370 in the morning and nearly 6900 in the afternoon. That is a very long period, massive groundswell, but again—way too big for Tarcoola. Only for absolute experts, and the wind is cross-on, so it’ll be rugged. Saturday 26th is similar: 8 ft SW at 17 seconds, but a fresh cross-onshore wind ruins any chance of quality. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, to be honest.

The next real highlight comes at the very end of the forecast. Wednesday morning September 30: 7 ft SW at 16 seconds with a light SE cross-off breeze at 6 mph. That’s clean, solid, and lined up. Combined energy is 2066—strong and meaty. That morning is excellent for experienced surfers. Crowds are possible, but with that quality, you’ll be smiling. Thursday October 1 starts with a 7 ft SW at 16 seconds, but the wind is a light cross-on from WNW, so it’s not as clean, but still rideable for the skilled.

Best on offer: without a doubt, Wednesday September 16 morning and Wednesday September 30 morning. Both have clean cross-off winds, proper SW groundswell with good period, and solid energy. The rest you can sleep in for.

Rusty.

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