Yonabaru Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin' for the next couple of weeks at Yonabaru.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you: the first week is a bit of a washout for us. From Monday the 14th right through to Friday the 18th, the surf is small and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore. We’re looking at knee-high waves around 2ft to 3ft, with short period energy (9 seconds) and low combined swell energy (between 114 and 232). It’s a lot of chop and wind ripples, not worth paddling out for.

Things finally start to show some life on Saturday the 19th. A pulse of groundswell arrives from the east with a period of 15 seconds, pushing the swell up to 3ft in the morning and 5ft by the afternoon. The combined energy jumps to 554 then 1197, so we’re talking moderate wave energy. Problem is, the wind swings cross-shore at 12 mph, bringing a cross-chop. The morning session is still marginal, and even the afternoon is only rated as borderline. The water temp is 84°F, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a spring suit.

Sunday the 20th sees the swell building even more: 8ft in the morning and 10ft by the afternoon from the east, with a very long 16-second period. Combined energy hits 3166 then 4177 – that’s strong wave energy. But the wind is still cross-shore at 16 mph, creating a lumpy surface. This swell is getting big, and at 8ft to 10ft it's really only for the experienced crew. The conditions are still just marginal.

Now, Monday the 21st is where we get our first real standout. The swell drops a little to 8ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon, still from the east with a 14-second period. The wind shifts to cross-offshore from the NNW at 19 mph, and the wave face cleans right up. Combined energy is still strong at 2860 and 2385. This is the best session of the first week – solid, clean groundswell. But be aware, east swell with a long period at a beach break can break a bit straight, so you’ll want to pick your peak.

Tuesday the 22nd is a nice follow-up: 4ft in the morning and 5ft in the afternoon, with clean conditions thanks to a cross-offshore breeze from the northwest at 12 mph. The swell direction swings around to the NNW by afternoon, and the period drops to 10 seconds, so it’s a bit less powerful. Combined energy is moderate at 845 and 699. A solid day for a fun, manageable surf.

After that, from Wednesday the 23rd through Friday the 25th, we hit another flat, choppy stretch. Wave heights drop below 3ft, period shortens, and the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore again. Not much to get excited about.

Then we get a big, heavy pulse rolling in for the weekend of the 26th and 27th of September. The guidance warns that the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. Saturday afternoon sees 12ft from the SE with an 11-second period and combined energy at 2729. Sunday is similar: 12ft from the ESE with an 8-second period and 1745 to 1842 energy. Despite the wind being cross-shore, the score is high purely because of the sheer size, but this is expert-only territory. If you’re not a seasoned charger, give this one a miss. The short period on Sunday will make for a steep, dumpy wave.

After that, the last few days of the month taper off quickly. The swell drops back below 7ft, the period shortens, and the wind stays strong and cross-shore, creating lumpy, choppy conditions. Nothing worth chasing.

So, to wrap it up: your one standout is Monday the 21st of September. The 7ft to 8ft east groundswell with a long 14-second period and clean cross-offshore wind will give you the best, most rideable waves of the whole period. After that, the big 12ft swell on the 26th and 27th is for experts only.

Rusty.

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