Wategos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half at Wategos is a bit of a mixed bag. We’re starting off with some tiny, weak waves, and it takes a while before anything gets the blood pumping. Hang in there, though, because the second half of the window has some serious grunt, but you’ll need to pick your moments.

Right now, Monday the 13th, it’s small. We’ve got a 2ft swell from the SE with a 9-second period – that’s weak energy (58) and the conditions are just ordinary. The morning is clean with a light cross-off breeze, but it’s not worth paddling out for. Come Monday afternoon, a NE cross-on kicks in and it’s a write-off.

Tuesday and Wednesday (14th & 15th) are flat. Swell drops to 0.7ft, energy is down in the teens (16, 15, 16), and even though the wind is cross-off and clean, there’s nothing to ride. Wednesday afternoon sees a strong offshore wind (30 km/h) but the swell is 0.3ft – forget it. Thursday the 16th is the same story: fresh offshore wind but only 0.7-1ft of swell (energy 8-11). This is a big gap of no surf.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Friday the 17th morning, the swell jumps to 8ft from the SE, period 8 seconds, and the energy is pumping (787). It’s clean with a cross-off breeze, but that’s a lot of power – this is expert territory. The waves are going to be chunky and a bit raw, but if you’ve got the skills, it’s on. Saturday the 18th holds similar size (7-8ft) with strong energy (700-902), but the wind is still cross-off, keeping it clean.

The standout, though, is Sunday the 19th. That afternoon brings a 10ft ESE swell, 10-second period, and the energy is massive (1906). The wind turns offshore, moderate at 25 km/h, and the conditions are clean. This is the best on offer – big, powerful groundswell, perfect for the point. But listen, 10ft is only for the experienced crew. Beginners, stay on the sand. Monday the 20th afternoon is also a cracker: 8ft E swell, 10-second period, offshore wind, and energy at 1069 – very good surf.

The week of the 21st to the 23rd sees the swell drop back to a more manageable 4-6ft, with clean conditions and light winds. It’s good, solid surf, but not the standout of the previous weekend. By Thursday the 23rd, it’s fading to 4ft and the energy is dropping (244). The 24th and 25th bring onshore winds and poor conditions, and the 26th-28th is a slow fade to 2ft with weak energy.

Water temp is about average for this time of year, so no shock to the system. Wategos is a point break that’s very consistent, but it’s always crowded, especially when the swell hits. For the big days on the 19th and 20th, expect a full lineup. That’s the price of a good wave.

Rusty.

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