Arrawarra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a slow start ahead, but don’t write off the next couple of weeks just yet. Arrawarra’s gonna be quiet for the first few days, with barely a ripple to speak of. The real action doesn’t kick in until Wednesday the 15th of July, and even then it’s gonna be a wild ride, not one for the faint-hearted.

From Wednesday morning, we’ll see a solid 4ft southerly swell, but it’s short period at 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit crumbly and messy. The wind swings offshore though, so it’ll be clean, but the conditions are ordinary. That afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft from the SSE, still short period, and the wind’s fresh offshore. That’s expert territory – over 8ft it’s for experts only, and this is right on the edge, so it’s gonna be powerful and tough. The combined energy is moderate at 417 (moderate wave energy), but it’s raw.

Thursday the 16th continues the theme – 7ft to 7ft, SSE swell, fresh offshore winds, but the rain showers and short period keep it marginal. The energy is still moderate (495 and 401). Friday the 17th rolls in with 7ft from the SE, but the wind swings cross-offshore, and it’s poor conditions. The energy is moderate (482). Saturday the 18th stays messy with cross-offshore winds and rain, but the swell’s still there at 7ft from the ESE by afternoon, energy moderate (634).

Now, Sunday the 19th is where it starts to get interesting. The swell holds at 8ft from the ESE, but the period stretches to 9 seconds, and the energy jumps to 1145 (strong wave energy). The wind is cross-offshore though, so it’s not perfect. By Sunday afternoon, the period hits 10 seconds, energy 1287, but it’s still a bit on the big side and the wind’s not ideal. This is still advanced stuff.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are the real standouts. Monday has 7ft to 7ft from the ESE, period 10 seconds, moderate energy (823 and 806), but the wind is still cross-off. Then Tuesday the 21st morning – this is the best of the bunch. The swell drops to 6ft from the E, period 10 seconds, and the wind swings offshore light from the S. The energy is moderate (591), but the conditions are “very good surf conditions”. That’s a clean, solid groundswell, perfect for a point break like Arrawarra. The water temp is about average for the time of year at 68°F (anomaly of -0.4°F), so not too cold.

Wednesday the 22nd is still good with 5ft from the E, moderate offshore wind, and clean conditions. Thursday the 23rd morning is another highlight – 5ft from the E, period 11 seconds, light offshore wind, and “very good surf conditions”. The energy is moderate (538). That’s a classic Arrawarra day, with the east swell wrapping in nicely. The afternoon gets a bit messy with cross-on wind, but the morning is a gem.

After that, the swell slowly fades into the second week. Friday the 24th has 4ft from the E, period 11 seconds, light offshore, but the energy drops. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th see 4ft to 3ft from the E, with the period staying around 11-12 seconds, and light to moderate offshore winds. The energy is low to moderate (241 to 419). Monday the 27th morning is glassy with a 3ft east swell, period 12 seconds, energy low (301) – a nice little clean-up day if you’re desperate. Tuesday the 28th morning has a 3ft east swell, period 13 seconds, light offshore, energy moderate (386), but it’s getting small.

In short, the best windows are Tuesday the 21st and Thursday the 23rd mornings. The swell direction from the E matches Arrawarra’s optimum east swell, and the offshore winds will make it glassy. Crowds are often here, so expect company, but for a point break, it’s worth it. The big stuff from the 15th to the 19th is strictly for experts – too much size and short period to be fun for most.

Rusty.

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