The Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve scanned the whole 16-day window and I gotta be straight with you—there’s nothing worth paddling out for at The Spit. This is a flat spell, plain and simple. The whole stretch is a write-off, so don’t bother checking the cam. It’s the kind of run that happens now and then; the waves just aren’t showing up. The Spit is a consistent spot, so this blank run is a bit of a surprise, but forecasts can always shift.

The first bit of action we see is Saturday afternoon, 5th September, but it’s a dud. A tiny 1ft easterly swell with a weak 9-second period, and just 25 combined energy units—barely a ripple. The wind is a moderate cross-shore from the north at 12 mph, making a messy cross-chop. The water’s 69°, which is about normal for this time of year. You’d be better off staying on the beach.

Sunday morning, 6th September, gives a glimmer: a 4ft northerly swell, but it’s only 6 seconds short period, so it’s weak and gutless. The energy is moderate at 155. The wind is cross-off from the NNW at 12 mph, so it’s clean, but the swell is too small and messy to do anything with. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions,” and that’s the truth. The afternoon drops to 3ft, still weak.

Monday morning, 7th September, the swell bumps to 5ft from the SSE with 8 seconds, and energy jumps to 389 (moderate). But the wind is a cross-on from the SE at 9 mph, making it choppy and unworkable. For a river break like The Spit, that’s just ugly. The afternoon flattens out again.

From there, it’s a long, grim slog. Tuesday through to Sunday, 20th September, we see a mix of tiny swells, short periods, and onshore or cross-shore winds. The energy stays low, mostly under 100, with a few blips like Wednesday morning, 9th September (141 energy, but still 3ft and cross-on) and Friday morning, 11th September (173 energy, 3ft, cross-shore chop). Nothing lines up. The biggest swell we see is 5ft on Thursday afternoon, 10th September, but it’s a short 6-second period with a fresh cross-shore wind at 22 mph—lumpy, lumpy, lumpy.

The last few days, 18th September to 20th September, are a washout. Energy spikes to 219 on Friday morning, 18th September, but it’s 2ft from the SE with 11 seconds (long period, but tiny) and a cross-on wind. A long period swell like that at a river break? It’ll just break straight and close out. Not worth it.

Honestly, there’s no standout. Don’t even think about the best on offer—there isn’t one. The winds are always working against us, the swell is knee-high at best, and the energy is anemic. Between the 5th and 20th September, there’s a gap of no recommendations for the entire 15 days. If you’re desperate, the cleanest conditions are on Sunday morning, 6th September, with that cross-off wind, but the swell is just too poor. It’s a flat spell, plain and simple. The Spit is a river break, exposed to the east, so we need a solid swell from the east to get going, and it’s just not happening. The optimum swell direction is east, but the wind is always wrong. For kite surfers, maybe—the stronger winds on 10th and 11th September might give you something, but for paddle surfing, it’s a no-go.

Rusty.

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