The Inlet and Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it—this stretch is looking pretty ordinary for the next couple of weeks. Lots of junky waves, not much worth paddling for. But there are a couple of clean windows if you’re keen, so you gotta pick your moment.

From Tuesday the 15th through Thursday the 17th, we’ve got tiny, weak swell—nothing over 3 ft, dropping to 2 ft or less by Thursday. Wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, chopping it up. Energy is weak, under 61 the whole time. Not worth your time unless you’re desperate.

Friday the 18th morning has a offshore wind (W at 3 mph) and it’s clean, but the swell is barely a ripple—0.7 ft. You’d be floating on a longboard, maybe catching a knee-high wave. Afternoon gets chopped again.

Saturday and Sunday (19th and 20th) bring a bit more swell—up to 3 ft—but the wind is all over. Sunday morning has cross-offshore wind (SW 16 mph) and it’s clean, but only 2 ft of swell. Energy is weak. It’s a grovel at best.

Then comes the ugly stretch. Monday the 21st through Wednesday the 23rd, the swell builds but so does the wind. We’re talking 5-7 ft of messy windslop, with onshore winds ramping from 13 mph up to 28 mph. Energy climbs from 204 to 623, but it’s all rainy, blown out, and messy. This is not surf—it’s a washing machine. Kitesurfers might love it, but paddlers, stay home.

Thursday the 24th sees the swell at 6 ft in the morning with cross-shore winds (NNE 6-13 mph). Still rough with light rain and chop, but there’s power (energy 449). Afternoon jumps to 8 ft with stronger cross-shore wind (NNE 13 mph) and energy hits 848. This is expert territory—over 8 ft is for the skilled only—but the quality is marginal. You’d be fighting it.

Friday the 25th is similar—7 ft in the morning, but winds pick up and it turns messy. Afternoon energy spikes to 1420, but with 16 mph cross-onshore winds, it’s just a mess. Saturday the 26th is a no-go with 25 mph onshore winds and 5 ft of chop. Sunday the 27th is worse—28 mph winds, rain, and 3 ft of slop. Forget it.

Here’s the bright spot: Monday the 28th morning. The swell is 4 ft from the NNE with a cross-offshore wind (NNW 16 mph). It’s clean, and there’s decent energy (138). This is the best conditions on offer in the whole window—clean, surfable, beginner-friendly. Afternoon drops to 2 ft but the wind turns cross-shore.

Tuesday the 29th morning is weak—2 ft—but the afternoon brings 4 ft from the NNE with a light cross-offshore wind (NNW 3 mph). It’s clean and surfable, though the period is short (4 seconds), so it’s windswell, not groundswell. Still, it’s the most user-friendly waves of the week.

And then we end on a sour note: Wednesday the 30th, the wind howls onshore at 25 mph, the swell is a pathetic 2 ft, and it’s messy. No good.

So, bottom line: the standout is Monday the 28th morning—4 ft, clean, decent energy. That’s your best shot. Tuesday afternoon the 29th is a backup. Everything else is too small, too blown out, or too messy. The second week is less certain, but I’m not holding my breath.

Stay patient, stay safe. It usually doesn’t stay this poor for long.

Rusty.

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