Watermans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day run ahead at Watermans, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The first few days are a write-off with messy onshore winds and poor surf quality, so don’t bother paddling out until the weekend. The good news is that a clean glass-off window arrives Sunday the 20th, and there's a proper standout session shaping up a week later on the 25th—if you can handle some size.

Watermans is a reef break, beginner-friendly when it’s small, but don’t get caught out when it pumps. The water’s sitting at 65°F, which is about average for this time of year. No surprises there.

Wednesday the 16th is a tease—5 ft of WSW swell at 14 seconds, but that 16 mph NE cross-off breeze keeps it clean. Combined energy’s moderate at 870, and the afternoon eases to 4 ft with a lighter ENE breeze. It’s rideable but not worth rushing.

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th are total washouts. Onshore winds crank up from the NW, hitting 19 mph on Friday, and the swell runs straight into a cross-on chop. Friday afternoon’s got a big energy spike—1704 (moderate energy)—but it’s lumpy and ugly. Leave the board in the truck.

Saturday the 19th turns nasty: 12 ft of WSW swell with howling 19 mph onshore winds. That’s 4957 energy points (strong wave energy), but it’s a beast only for the brave, and honestly, it’s more kite-surf territory. Not for paddle surfing.

Sunday the 20th morning – that’s your first real window. The swell drops to 6 ft from the WSW, period 13 seconds, and it goes glassy with a 3 mph northerly breeze. Combined energy sits at 1340 (moderate), and the report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The 6 ft is pushing into expert-only territory, but those clean, peeling waves will be worth the paddle. Expect crowds—it’s a spot that’s often busy.

Monday the 21st morning holds 8 ft of WSW swell, 15-second period, with a light offshore NNE breeze. Energy’s 2615 (strong). Clean and powerful, but again, this is for experienced surfers only. Tuesday the 22nd chills out to 6 ft but with cross-on wind, so it’s just marginal.

Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th are also marginal—swell between 4 ft and 6 ft, but winds shift onshore or cross-on. Nothing to get excited about.

Now Friday the 25th – this is the standout. The morning delivers 10 ft of WSW swell with a very long 19-second period, a gentle cross-on breeze, and energy reading a massive 6560 (very strong wave energy). That’s groundswell with serious travel time. The direction matches the break’s optimum (WSW), so expect long, lined-up sets. It’s a reef, so it should handle that period beautifully—though at this size, it’s expert-only. It gets messy by afternoon as 16 mph WNW cross-on winds kick in, so get in early.

Saturday the 26th is a blowing mess: 8 ft+ with 22 mph onshore winds. Not recommended.

Sunday the 27th morning goes glassy again—5 ft, 14-second WSW swell, and zero wind. Energy’s 1066 (moderate). Clean conditions for experienced surfers, but with a good crowd likely.

The final days into the 30th and 1st of October stay smaller (6 ft to 7 ft) and mostly cross or glassy, but the consistency fades. The 30th morning has a lovely glass-off with 6 ft from the SW, a 16-second period—clean and inviting.

The standout windows are Sunday the 20th morning for clean, overhead surf, and Friday the 25th morning for the big, powerful groundswell. Both are for experienced surfers. Get on it.

Rusty.

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