Amanzimtoti Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Alright, let’s have a look at what’s shaking for the next couple of weeks. This stretch is a bit of a mixed bag, with only a couple of moments really worth circling on the calendar. The early days aren’t offering much for a proper paddle, but there’s a brief window of something better by the second weekend that could be worth the wait.

We kick off Wednesday the 8th with tiny, weak surf. The swell is only 1.6ft from the SW, with a 14-second period – that’s long period groundswell, but there’s just not enough size to do anything with it. Winds are light and cross-off from the NNE though, so the water’s clean, but it’s a non-starter for actual waves. The overall wave energy is low at 129 on Wednesday morning. Honestly, you’d be better off watching the horizon with a coffee.

Thursday the 9th sees a jump in energy, with the morning swell at 3.0ft from the SSW and a long period of 15 seconds. The combined swell energy hits 562 – moderate. But the wind is a cross-onshore from the south, putting a chop on the surface. By the afternoon, the swell pumps up to 6.6ft from the SSW with 13-second period, and the energy surges to 1346. That’s a solid, moderate-to-strong pulse. Thing is, it’s onshore from the SSE, which will mess up the face. It’s still marginal and really only for the keen who don’t mind a bit of bump.

Friday the 10th brings the biggest swell of the run so far: 8.2ft from the SSW, and on the morning session, the period is a very long 15 seconds. The combined energy is a hefty 3148 – that’s strong wave energy. But again, the wind is a cross-onshore from the south, light enough in the morning to keep some shape, but still not perfect. By the afternoon, the wind picks up to 12 mph from the south, and the surface gets choppy. This size (over 8.2ft) is strictly for experienced surfers. A long period swell like this, with that direction, will really favour the points and reefs over the beach. With the break being a beach and reef setup, those reefs could handle it well if you can find a clean corner. Crowds are possible from time to time here. Water temp is 72.3°F, which is about average for this time of year, so a normal winter wetsuit situation.

Saturday the 11th drops back a touch – 6.6ft in the morning from the SSW, still 13 seconds, energy at 1299. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the south. By afternoon the swell is 5.9ft and the wind swings light from the east, almost glassy with a slight air. That afternoon session looks cleaner than the morning, but still not clean clean.

Sunday the 12th has rain showers and a dropping swell: 4.9ft from the SSW in the morning with 12-second period and energy at 694. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the SSE, so it’s not great. Afternoon gets messy with a moderate cross-shore from the NE at 12 mph and a cross-chop.

Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are poor again. Monday has a clean cross-off wind from the NE, but the swell is only 3.0ft. Tuesday brings a 5.2ft swell from the east, but it’s onshore and the period is a short 8 seconds – that’s weak, wind-affected junk. Energy is around 410, weak to moderate. Not worth suiting up.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting for a moment. Let's look ahead to Saturday the 19th, July. Sunday morning the 19th is the standout. The forecast shows a southerly swell at 4.9ft, but look at the period – just 5 seconds. That is a very short period wind swell, which usually means lumpy, weak waves. But the wind is a cross-offshore from the NNE at 9 mph, and the wave comment actually says "expect good surf conditions." The combined energy is 334, which is weak, but the clean conditions might make it rideable. It’s a small window, and the afternoon goes to hell with a fresh cross-shore from the NE at 19 mph. So if you’re going to get wet, it’s a dawn mission on the 19th.

After that, it’s a desert. Monday the 20th has a clean 3.3ft swell from the south with a very long 15-second period, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off from the NNE. That wind will blow the top off anything. The energy is 479 – weak. The rest of the week is a write-off with onshore winds, messy seas, and poor surf conditions all the way through Thursday the 23rd. Over 8.2ft again on Friday the 17th, but with fresh, lumpy winds and a short period – that’s a kite-surfing setup, not a paddle one.

Overall, for the next two and a half weeks, there’s really one session that stands out: Sunday morning,

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