Thompsons Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s see what’s on the cards for Thompsons Bay. It’s a bit of a mixed bag through this forecast window, and to be honest, there’s a fair stretch of nothing much to get excited about.

We’re looking at a sheltered spot, and for the first week or so, the wind is a real pain. From Friday the 28th of August right through to the end of the month, it’s mostly a fresh to strong cross-shore breeze from the northeast, kicking up a lumpy, messy cross-chop. The swell is there – between 4 ft and 10 ft – but that wind is just ruining it. The combined wave energy is moderate to strong (872 to 1377), but it’s all chop and no shape. Not worth paddling out for.

We get a bit of a breather on Monday the 31st morning with a cleaner cross-off wind and 4 ft of east swell, but the energy is weak (311) and it’s likely pretty weak.

Now, Tuesday the 1st of September brings a glimmer. The morning is glassy – a slight air from the southeast at just 3 mph – and there’s 4 ft of east swell. The combined energy is moderate (369). It’s surfable, but the conditions are very ordinary. It’s the best we’ve seen so far, but it’s a one-star day, not a standout.

Thursday the 3rd of September afternoon is actually promising. The wind goes light and cross-off from the west-southwest, 3 ft of south-southwest swell with a very long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (569) and conditions will be clean. That long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely at a sheltered spot like this, favouring a cleaner line. This is a genuine bright spot.

Then things go a bit wild. Friday the 4th of September morning sees a serious pulse of swell hit: 15 ft of southeast groundswell with a 12-second period. The combined wave energy is very strong (4945). But the wind is a light cross from the east-northeast and there’s rain showers. For experienced surfers only – 15 ft is serious, expert territory. The afternoon gets messy as the wind picks up. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September are all blown out with strong winds and big, lumpy 12 ft to 10 ft swell. That’s a kite-surfing kind of setup, not for a paddle board.

After that, it drops off. From the 7th of September onwards, the swell fades and the wind stays onshore or cross-shore, giving us poor, choppy conditions right through to the end of the forecast on the 12th of September. There’s one last pulse of 10 ft on the 12th morning, but it’s blown out.

Honestly, the pick of the bunch is that Thursday the 3rd of September afternoon session. It’s not huge, but with clean conditions and a decent long-period groundswell, it’ll be the most enjoyable wave of the whole run. The big Friday the 4th morning swell is there for the brave, but it’s a big ask.

Rusty.

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