Arrifana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s chew over the surf for Arrifana, a beach and reef setup that loves a good NW swell. This one’s for the advanced crew when it gets serious. Over the next 16 days, we’ve got a big dry spell early on, then a late run that could be the goods, but you’ll need to be patient.

We’re starting off Sunday the 26th of July, but it’s a dud. There’s 5ft of NW swell, but the period is short at 7 seconds, and the wind is a cross-off from the N at 12 mph. The combined energy is moderate (204), but the wave comment says it’s poor. Skip it. Monday the 27th of July, the swell drops to 4ft from the NW, still short period, and the morning has a glassy moment with a SE wind at 3 mph. The wave comment says surfable but ordinary. The water temp is 66°, which is a bit colder than normal, anomaly of -4°, so you’ll feel that.

From Tuesday the 28th of July through Tuesday the 4th of August, it’s a real drought. The surf is tiny, mostly under 3ft, with periods between 7 and 10 seconds, and all the wave comments are “poor” or “surfable but ordinary.” Energy is weak to moderate. Nothing to recommend here. That’s an 8-day gap of no decent surf.

Then on Wednesday the 5th of August, the morning shows 7ft of NW swell, period 7 seconds, with strong energy (418). The wind is cross-off from the N at 12 mph, so it’s clean. The wave comment says marginal, with a score of 1. It’s not a standout, but it’s a sign of life. The swell is over 5ft, so it’s getting too big for beginners. The afternoon has 7ft and 559 energy, but the wind picks up to 16 mph, and the wave comment is still poor.

Thursday the 6th of August through Sunday the 9th of August, the swell sits between 6ft and 8ft, with NNW direction, periods mostly 7 to 8 seconds, and energy levels from moderate to very strong (390 to 1129). The wind is cross-off, but it’s strong, blowing 16 to 22 mph. The wave comments are all poor or marginal. This is big, messy, and wind-affected. For a beach and reef, it’s more of a kite-surfing day than paddle. The swell is over 8ft on the 9th, so only experts should even look at it.

Now, the highlight. Monday the 10th of August, the morning is the standout. The swell is 7ft from the NNW, period 8 seconds, and the energy is strong (525). The wind is cross-off from the NNW at only 6 mph – light breeze, clean conditions. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” the only two-star rating in the whole run. This is the one to aim for. The swell is 7ft, so it’s in the expert zone, but with clean wind and decent energy, Arrifana will be pumping. The afternoon shifts to 5ft, cross-shore, and a marginal call, so the morning is the session.

Overall, the first week is a bust. The second week has big, raw energy, but the wind spoils it until Monday the 10th of August morning. That’s the only real standout – it’s over a week away, so keep an eye on it, but it’s promising. Crowds can be sometimes an issue, but on a Monday morning, you’ll be alright if you’re early.

Rusty.

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