Tip Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a 16-day window for Tip Beach, and honestly, it’s a bit of a slow burn. The first few days are pretty ordinary, so don’t get your hopes up for a quick hit.

The pattern starts off with some small, weak swell and a lot of onshore or cross-off wind. The water temp is sitting at 59.0°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no need to dig out the 5/4 just yet.

Thursday the 27th is a write-off. The morning has a 5.2ft SSW swell, but it’s short-period at 8 seconds (windswell) and the combined energy is only 396 (moderate), but the score says marginal, so it’s not worth the paddle out. The afternoon is even worse. Friday and Saturday the 28th and 29th are similar – small, short-period swell, moderate energy, and cross-off wind. Not clean enough, not big enough, just a frustrating combo.

Sunday the 30th, the swell direction stays SW, and the energy picks up a bit (431), but with 15.5 mph winds, it’s just messy. You’re better off waiting.

Now, here’s the first real glimmer. Monday morning, August 31st. The swell drops to 1.6ft, but look at the period – 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, very long period. The combined energy is 372 (moderate), but with a 1.6ft wave, it’s going to be clean and lined up. The wind is WSW at 9.3 mph, cross-off. This is a classic long-period groundswell, and at a beach break like Tip Beach, these long-period swells can be a bit straight, but with the cross-off wind, it’ll be working. This is a decent option for a glassy morning session, but it’s small, so don’t expect a cavern.

Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd are glassy but tiny. NW wind goes glassy, then offshore, but the swell is under 3ft with short periods. The energy is weak (147, 119, 67). You’ll be bobbing around, not surfing.

Then we get a blank run. From Thursday the 3rd through to Friday the 4th, the swell is tiny – 2.9ft down to 1.0ft, with long periods but basically no energy. That’s a couple of days to do something else.

Saturday, September 5th is where it gets interesting. Morning brings a 6.9ft SW swell at 9 seconds, and the combined energy is 696 – that’s strong, moderate-to-strong energy. The wind is NW at 9.3 mph, cross-off. This is a standout. 6.9ft is a solid size, good for experienced intermediates, but not too big for a confident surfer. The wind is clean, and the setup is good. However, the afternoon blows up with 24.8 mph winds, so get your session in early. That morning window is the best on offer in the whole first week.

Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th hold the swell at 5.6ft to 6.2ft, but the wind is strong (18.6-21.7 mph). It’s cross-off, but it’s a fresh breeze, so it’ll be lumpy. The energy is strong (601, 635, 651). Worth a look if you’re desperate, but it’s not the peak.

Then, hold on. Monday afternoon, September 7th – 6.2ft SW swell, 9 seconds, combined energy 651 (strong), and the wind drops to 6.2 mph from the SW, cross-off. This is clean, with good energy. That afternoon session is a solid second best.

Now, we get a big wind event on Tuesday the 8th. 21.7-24.8 mph winds, swell drops to 2.9ft, and the energy collapses. Avoid.

Wednesday, September 9th is a massive event. The morning has a 14.8ft SW swell at 12 seconds, with a combined energy of 4973 – that’s very strong wave energy. The wind is 18.6 mph, cross-off. This is a heavy, powerful swell. For a beach break, 14.8ft is a monster. It’s expert-only territory. The period is 12 seconds, which is long, so it’s a proper groundswell, but it’s going to be a washing machine. The afternoon is 13.1ft, still huge. The scores say it’s too big for the break. If you’re not an expert, stay on the sand. If you are, take a friend and a rescue board.

Thursday the 10th is still pumping at 11.5ft south swell, 12 seconds, with energy over 3000. Still too big for anyone but the boldest.

Friday, September 11th – the swell drops to 6.9ft from the SSE, 11 seconds, combined energy 123

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