Watermans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a proper 16-day window ahead at Watermans, but it’s gonna take its sweet time to turn on. The first few days are a bit of a write-off – messy winds and lumpy, raw swell make for a frustrating start. After that, we see a real shift in quality, especially into the second half of next week, where things clean right up.

Thursday (3rd) is a no-go. Cloudy morning with a 9 mph cross-onshore breeze messing up a 8 ft WSW groundswell (period a long 15 seconds). The energy reading’s a moderate 2305, but it’s choppy as all get-out. Afternoon gets worse – stronger wind, poor conditions. Friday (4th) starts even uglier – 10 ft of swell but strong onshore wind and a 16 mph cross-on makes it lumpy. The afternoon calms a bit with a 9 mph onshore, but at 10 ft and 14-second period (very long period), this is big, powerful, and only for experienced crew. Even then, it’s marginal at best.

Saturday (5th) is another day to sit out – strong cross-onshore winds and rain showers. Sunday (6th) sees the wind swing offshore from the south, but it’s howling at 22 mph in the morning. The swell’s a solid 12 ft (3476 combined energy – strong), period 13 seconds. Clean but too big and windy for most. Afternoon eases a touch to 10 ft SW, still strong (3475 energy), but the cross-off wind keeps it clean – only for experts.

Now here’s where it gets good. Monday (7th) morning: 8 ft WSW swell (period 16 seconds – very long period groundswell), energy 3870 (strong), with a clean cross-off breeze from the ESE at 12 mph. The afternoon is the real standout: same size and direction, wind drops to a gentle 9 mph cross-off, and the call is *excellent surf for experienced surfers*. The water temp is 64°, about average for this time of year (anomaly -1°).

Tuesday (8th) is the pick of the bunch. Both morning and afternoon are absolute magic. 8 ft to 10 ft of WSW groundswell (15-16 second periods, energy 3728 to 4071 – strong to very strong), but the key is steady offshore wind from the E to ESE. Morning: 12 mph moderate offshore, clean. Afternoon: 9 mph gentle offshore, even cleaner. This is prime Watermans – big, clean, and powerful. This is the best on offer.

Wednesday (9th) keeps the offshore wind theme going with ENE breezes. 8 ft to 7 ft WSW swell (16-second periods), clean and excellent. Still fantastic, but the swell size eases a touch.

Things then taper off. Thursday (10th) sees the swell drop to 6 ft and the wind goes light cross-off – still a good clean session for experienced surfers. Friday (11th) gets smaller and wind turns onshore again – hard pass. Saturday (12th) is a write-off with a massive 10 ft to 12 ft swell and fresh cross-onshore wind, energy 5133 (very strong) – dangerous and messy. Sunday (13th) has 10 ft WSW swell but the wind is cross to cross-on, making it marginal.

Monday (14th) morning is a beautiful surprise: glassy conditions, zero wind, with a 7 ft WSW groundswell (14-second period, energy 1874). This is about as clean as it gets – excellent for experienced surfers. Afternoon gets a 16 mph cross-shore, spoiling it.

The last few days, Tuesday 15th through Thursday 17th, offer clean but small surf (4 ft to 7 ft) with offshore or cross-off winds. Not a standout, but still worth a paddle if you’re keen. Friday 18th fades to tiny 3 ft to 2 ft waves with onshore wind – time to wax the longboard or just go fishing.

Best on offer: Tuesday (8th) morning and afternoon hands down. 8 ft to 10 ft of WSW groundswell with steady offshore wind – that’s Watermans at its finest. Monday (7th) afternoon and Monday (14th) morning (glassy) are also worth a shout.

Overall, the first few days are a test of patience, but once that offshore wind locks in from Monday 7th afternoon through Wednesday 9th, it’s a proper window of quality. And that glassy morning on the 14th is a late-week treat.

Rusty.

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