Back Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a good look at what’s happening at Back Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, Saturday afternoon (July 4th) is a write-off. We’ve got a messy 4.6 ft swell from the west with a period of 11 seconds and the wind is howling out of the NNE at 25 mph, cross-off but raw. Combined wave energy is moderate at 514, and the water temp is sitting at 59.5°, which is about 1.8° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s noticeable, but not gonna help the surf today. Score is a zero.

Sunday morning (July 5th) is where things start to get interesting, but only if you’re a solid surfer. The swell jumps to 8.2 ft from the NW with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a strong 1566. The wind is light out of the NW at 9 mph, but it’s cross-on and the models are saying this is too big for the break. That’s a strong warning – this is advanced territory only. Sunday afternoon drops right off to a 3.0 ft, 16-second groundswell, but the wind is light SW, cross-on, and the tide is questionable. Not worth paddling out for.

Monday (July 6th) is another day of heavy stuff – morning sees 8.2 ft from the west at 14 seconds, cross-off wind from the NNE at 19 mph, and a combined energy of 2325. Again, too big for this spot. The afternoon bumps up to 8.2 ft from the WSW, 17 seconds, cross-off at 9 mph – energy hits 3779 – but the same warning applies: this is too much swell for Back Beach.

Tuesday morning (July 7th) still looks solid at 7.2 ft from the WSW, 16 seconds, with a clean offshore wind from the ESE at 16 mph. The energy is strong at 2406, but once more it’s flagged as too big. By Tuesday afternoon, the swell drops to 5.9 ft from the WSW, 15 seconds, wind turns SE at 9 mph cross-off, energy at 1441, and the comments finally say “excellent for experienced surfers”. This is the first real window for competent surfers – still a big swell, but the offshore flow and long-period groundswell (15 seconds) will produce some clean, powerful lines. Best bet in the first week.

Wednesday morning (July 8th) is the first session that looks good for a wider crew. Swell eases to 4.9 ft from the SW, 14 seconds, and the wind is light offshore from the east at 3 mph – that’s glassy clean. Combined energy is moderate at 833. Expect very good surf conditions. The afternoon drops to 4.3 ft, 13 seconds, with a light SW cross-on – marginal.

Thursday morning (July 9th) has a 5.9 ft SW swell, 11 seconds, with a cross-off SE wind at 16 mph, energy at 1368 – but it’s rated marginal. Thursday afternoon jumps back to 7.2 ft from the WSW, 15 seconds, cross-off, energy 2243 – too big again.

Friday (July 10th) is a messy day with a 5.6 ft cross-swell in the morning and a 4.6 ft in the afternoon, both from the WSW with long periods (18 and 16 seconds), but the wind is S and cross, and the scores are low. Not your day.

Saturday morning (July 11th) looks clean but small – 3.9 ft from the WSW, 15 seconds, cross-off SE at 9 mph. Energy is moderate at 797. The afternoon improves to 3.6 ft, same direction and period, with a cross-off SSE breeze – energy 935, and the comments say “very good surf”. Could be a fun, small-wave session for longboards or fish.

Sunday (July 12th) offers consistent 4.9–5.6 ft WSW groundswell at 16 seconds, cross-off winds from the SE

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