Bahamas Surfing Conditions and Forecast: September 2016

Party wave! Noah and Mattheo at Bahamas Out Island Adventurers Surf Camp IX this summer. PHOTO CREDIT: Liz Heiberg-Glucksmann.
Party wave! Noah and Mattheo at Bahamas Out Island Adventurers Surf Camp IX this summer. PHOTO CREDIT: Liz Heiberg-Glucksmann.

Aaaaaah…Fall is in the air. Water temps cool, ocean blues deepen, swells begin to arrive from the north, leaves turn orange and red…errr, wait a minute, no fall foliage in the Bahamas, but the rest is true. And of course get those dings fixed, leash strings checked, wax combed and paddle arms prepped: September means hurricane swells.

Despite forecasts for a busier tropical storm season, Hurricane Earl in August has been the most significant this season and did send a nice south-angled swell up into our island chain; I’m going to go out on a limb here and say we’ll see a few storms this month, but will once again witness a below-average year for named storms. So count on waves this month, but don’t expect an epic run of storm swell like sometimes occurs.

Wetsuits still not necessary as by the end of the month most islands will still have water temps in the low 80s.

Snorkeling visitors (and residents alike): If you have to stand, stand on sand. A tongue twister but great adage to remind you coral and living ocean bottom is not the place to stand or touch.

September 24 in New Providence come be a part of the Potcakeman Triathlon at Jaws Beach. Not as daunting as it sounds – it’s where one of the Jaws movies was filmed – and the event raises money for BAARK – Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness.

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