The South Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s be straight – The South Jetty is looking pretty quiet for the next couple of weeks. There’s a long stretch of small surf, but a few clean windows might get you wet.

The water is sitting at 77° right now, which is about 4° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a nice warm bath feel for late August.

We start off flat. Friday the 28th through Monday the 31st is all tiny, weak waves – mostly 1ft to 2ft, with short periods under 8 seconds. Wind is all over the place, from cross-onshore to glassy, but the swell just isn’t there. Combined energy is low (59 down to 13), so leave the board at home.

Tuesday the 1st of September is more of the same – 1ft slop with cross-shore chop. Not worth it.

Then Wednesday the 2nd of September morning gives a glimmer of hope. Glassy surface, 2ft swell from the ESE with an 11-second period, and combined energy of 86. It’s still small and ordinary, but at least it’s clean. If you’re desperate, that’s your best early bet.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th stay tiny, but wind goes offshore (SW and then NW), so the surface is clean. Still, 1ft swell with 8-second period isn’t going to get the heart pumping.

Saturday the 5th of September has a bit more – 2ft from the south, but period drops to 6 seconds. Wind is offshore though, so it’s clean but weak. Energy is only 32.

The following week is more of the same. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are poor, with tiny swell and crossed-up wind. The only real standout comes on Tuesday the 8th of September. Morning has offshore NW wind at 16 mph, 2ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period, and combined energy of 57. It’s not big, but it’s clean and the longer period gives it a bit of shape. The afternoon keeps the offshore wind but drops to 2ft. This is probably the best window in the whole 16 days – still small, but surfable and tidy.

Wednesday the 9th of September morning goes glassy again with 3ft from the SSW, but period is a short 5 seconds. Energy is 63, but the waves will be weak and lumpy. Afternoon turns choppy again.

From Thursday the 10th through Saturday the 12th, it’s all downhill – tiny swell, onshore or cross-shore wind, and energy dropping into the 20s. The 12th has fresh NE wind at 19 mph, making it lumpy and messy.

So, what’s the call? If you’re hankering for a surf, Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is your first real chance, though it’s small. The best of the lot is Tuesday the 8th of September – clean offshore wind, a bit of period, and just enough swell to make it interesting. The rest is mostly flat and forgettable. For beginners, the swell never gets over 5ft, so it’s safe, but there’s just not much to ride.

The South Jetty is a beach/jetty setup, so with the tiny swell and light winds, it’s more of a paddle and float session than a proper surf. When the wind picks up – like on the 12th – it’s more interesting for kite surfers than anyone on a shortboard.

Rusty.

Read more