Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gidday, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Winki Pop. This is a reef and point setup that likes a solid SW groundswell, and it’s got that consistent reliability about it. The water temp is sitting pretty much where it should be for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there.

The truth is, for the next couple of days, it’s a bit of a write-off. Sunday’s got a 4ft SW swell at 15 seconds but the wind’s messy and the wave comment tells you it’s marginal. Monday is even smaller—down to 2ft—so forget it. There’s a real gap from Sunday through to Monday with nothing worth paddling out for.

Tuesday the 15th of September, things go a bit nuts. The swell jumps to 10ft from the SW, but the wind is blowing 20 mph cross-off and the wave energy is pumping at 4564 (strong to very strong). That said, the morning is labelled marginal for surf conditions, and by the afternoon it’s onshore and lumpy. Wednesday the 16th is a write-off too—big swell (8ft) but cross-on wind and choppy. Thursday the 17th drops a bit, but it’s still cross-on and messy. Not your windows.

Now, keep your eyes on Friday the 18th. That’s the first standout. The morning sees clean 4ft SW swell at 14 seconds with a moderate offshore NW breeze—that’s the kind of setup that makes this point reel. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” Energy is moderate at 800. It’s a genuine call to get wet. Saturday the 19th morning is similar, with clean 4ft SW swell and offshore wind, though the energy is a bit lower at 507. Good, but Friday morning is the pick.

Monday the 21st is a treat. Glassy conditions, zero wind, and 5ft SW swell at 13 seconds. The wave comment reads “expect very good surf conditions.” Energy sits at 701 (moderate). That’s about as clean as a point break gets. If you can sneak out, do it.

Tuesday the 22nd pushes back up to 8ft SW swell with a long 16-second period. The wind is cross-on and it’s choppy, so the wave comment is marginal. That’s a caveat—long-period groundswell can be too straight for the beachy sections, but on a reef and point like this, it might barrel. Still, it’s more of a ‘watch it and see’ day.

Wednesday the 23rd morning is glassy again—dead calm—with 5ft SW swell at 15 seconds. Energy is 1101 (moderate). That is a very decent clean morning, another one to circle.

But the real standout is Thursday the 24th. That morning you’ve got a 7ft SW groundswell with a long, clean 19-second period—that’s about as long as it gets. The wind is light, offshore from the NNW, and the wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” Energy is roaring at 3630. That’s for the crew who know what they’re doing. If you’re not experienced, stay out of the way because with that period and size, it’s going to be powerful and fast.

After that, it cleans up on Friday the 25th with smaller 4ft SSW swell at 16 seconds and gentle offshore wind. Good fun but small. Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th turn ugly again with cross-on wind and choppy conditions. Monday the 28th has a massive 12ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, energy at 5855, but it’s onshore and marginal—that’s experts only, and even then, doubtful.

So for the best of the run, I’d be on the water Friday the 18th morning for that clean, offshore, classic Winki Pop feel, and then Thursday the 24th morning for the heavy, long-period groundswell if you’ve got the skills. Monday the 21st morning for the glassy session is a solid dark horse.

Stay safe, keep your wits about you, and remember—long period groundswells like that Thursday one can close out the beach breaks, but on this reef and point it should line up. Rusty.

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