The Wharf Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at The Wharf over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the start of this outlook is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of “poor surf” conditions that runs all the way from now through the 12th of September. That’s a solid few days of waiting with barely a ripple to show for it with the swell tiny and the winds not playing nice. Hang in there, though.

Things start to change on Sunday the 13th of September. We see a sudden spike in energy – the combined energy jumps right up to 655 (moderate) in the morning and then a very strong 956 by the afternoon, with the swell pushing 3ft to 4ft out of the SW. But here’s the kicker – we’ve got risk of thunderstorms and onshore winds, so while the ocean’s got more power, it’s gonna be a messy, choppy affair. That pattern carries into Monday the 14th with the biggest raw swell of the whole run hitting 6ft from the SSW and the combined energy reading a massive 1733 (very strong wave energy). For an intermediate reef break like The Wharf, that’s some serious juice. The period is a long 17 seconds, a proper groundswell that’ll wrap in nicely here. Unfortunately, the wind is still onshore and lumpy, so it's a frustrating one – lots of water moving but no quality faces.

The only real standout that’s worth paddling out for, if you’re keen to gamble on a window, pops up on Thursday the 17th of September. In the morning, the wind swings around to a light NNE at 10 km/h (6 mph), giving us a cross-shore breeze. The swell settles back to 3ft from the SW with a 15-second period and a combined energy of 495 (moderate). It’s not a pumping session by any means, but with light cross-shore winds and that mellow groundswell, The Wharf could offer up a few clean, rideable lines if you’re patient. The afternoon sees the risk of storms return, so hit the early session. The water temp is about 81°, which is normal for this time of year, so no wetsuit needed – just your boardies and a bit of hope.

After that brief tease, it’s back into the wilderness. From the 18th through the 25th, it's a mix of onshore winds, fresh breezes, and small, choppy swell. Honestly, most of that second week looks more like a kiteboarding zone than a surf break, especially with those 18-22 mph winds. The one exception is on the 24th of September morning when we see a short-period 4ft swell from the East with a paltry 8-second period – that’s windswell mush, not worth your time.

Bottom line: If you’re desperate for a wave, the Thursday 17th of September early session is the only reasonable bet. For everything else, the conditions just aren’t cooperating. Keep your eyes peeled though – forecasts can change.

Rusty, signing off.

Read more