Woolgoolga Back Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let's have a look at what the charts are telling us for Woolgoolga Back Beach over the next couple of weeks. I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of a mixed bag and you'll have to pick your moments, but there are a couple of windows where it could be worth the paddle.

The water temp is sitting at 20°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year – no major surprises there.

The next few days are pretty average. Tuesday the 25th has some small, weak swell around 2ft from the ENE with a short 8-second period, but that north to north-northeast wind is cross-off, keeping things clean. The energy is very weak (99), so it's more of a mess-around for the beginners on a longboard than anything to get excited about.

Wednesday morning the 26th is where we start to see a little glimmer. The swell drops a touch to 3ft from the ENE, but the kicker is that glassy wind from the west at just 3 mph. It’s going to be dead smooth out there. The energy is still modest (109), but with clean conditions, it’ll be surfable for a learner session. The afternoon turns to crap as the wind swings onshore.

Thursday and Friday look pretty average with onshore winds and choppy conditions. Friday morning the 28th has a bit of a pulse of energy (217) with a 3ft swell from the SSE and a bit of a period at 9 seconds. The light northerly wind at 3 mph keeps it clean, but the size is tiny.

The weekend kicks up some size but brings the wind with it. Saturday the 29th gets to 5ft from the SSE, but that cross-onshore wind at 16 mph will make it a bumpy, lumpy mess. Not worth it for a paddle. Sunday the 30th sees the swell jump to 7ft from the south with a decent 10-second period and a massive jump in energy (1558). The problem is that cross-onshore wind is howling at 19 mph. For most blokes, this is going to be blown-out and ugly – more of a kite session than a surf.

The week after that is all about waiting for the wind to play nice. There are some long-period groundswells in the mix, with periods hitting 18 to 21 seconds, but the size is small (2ft to 4ft). These long-period swells, over 15 seconds, can offer some proper shape but they often break straight on beach breaks, so the banks at Woolgoolga will be critical. The energy on these days is moderate.

The standout window looks like Saturday morning, September 6th. We have a 4ft swell from the SSE with a 12-second period, which is a solid groundswell. The energy is decent (420). The big news is that clean offshore wind from the north-northwest at 12 mph. This will set up clean, lined-up waves. It’s the best on offer in the entire run. The swell direction isn't a perfect match for the break's optimum SE direction, but the combination of size, period, and that clean offshore wind makes it the one to aim for.

The following Monday morning, September 8th, is another potential session with 2ft from the SSE and a light cross-off northerly breeze, but the period drops to 9 seconds, so it'll be a bit softer.

There are some long gaps in the forecast where conditions are just poor. From Saturday afternoon the 29th right through to Friday morning the 6th, it’s either windy onshore, or too small, or the wind is wrong. That's a solid week of waiting for the right window.

So, to sum it up: pick your days. The real standout is Saturday morning, September 6th, with clean offshore winds and a solid groundswell. Wednesday morning the 26th is also an option for a glassy beginner session. For the rest, you'll be watching the wind forecast and hoping it shifts.

Rusty.

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