Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Back Strands, a reef set-up. Straight up, the water is a balmy 63°, which is a massive 5° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s pretty rare, and you’ll be comfortable in a shorty or even a spring suit.

The honest truth for the next week and a half is grim. The swell is tiny, mostly 0.7ft to 1.0ft, with a combined energy that’s barely a whisper (between 6 and 38). The period is short, mostly 8 to 10 seconds, so there’s no punch. Wind is mostly onshore or cross-on, which is no good for this wave. This is a 10-day stretch of flat, poor conditions. You’re better off doing something else.

Then, on the morning of Friday, 24 July, we finally see a flicker of life. The swell bumps up to 2ft from the west, with a period of 12 seconds and a combined energy of 96. It’s glassy in the morning, which is a big positive. The file says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," so it’s something to stretch your arms on, but it’s not the real deal.

The real action comes a few days later. Monday, 27 July sees the swell building to 3ft from the west-northwest, with a period of 10 seconds and energy climbing to 180-191. It’s still cross-on, so it’s messy.

The standout window is Tuesday, 28 July, through Wednesday, 29 July. On Tuesday morning, the swell hits 5ft from the west-northwest, with a period of 10 seconds and a combined energy of 363. The wind is a clean cross-off from the south-southwest. This is the best of the run. Wednesday morning pushes it further: 7ft from the west-northwest, 10-second period, a massive combined energy of 772, and again cross-off wind from the south-southeast. This is getting solid, proper reef wave energy. However, at 7ft, this is for experienced surfers only. The afternoon wind swings to a strong cross-off from the south, but with the swell at 6ft and energy at 616, it’s still a big, powerful wave. This is the highlight, but it’s a serious one.

For the pick of the bunch, Tuesday morning’s 5ft with clean cross-off wind is the most accessible of the bigger swells. Wednesday morning, though, is the big dog. It’s a powerful, clean, 7ft groundswell from the west-northwest, which is the optimum direction for this spot. The combined energy is strong (772), so expect proper sets. Because it’s a reef, the longer period (10 seconds) will wrap in nicely and give you some good, walling waves. The crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have company, but it won’t be a circus.

After that, the swell drops back to 4ft on Thursday, 30 July, but the wind is still cross-off. It’s still surfable, but the energy is gone.

So, to wrap it up: It’s a long wait for the big stuff. The first week and a half is a write-off. The standout is the morning of Wednesday, 29 July, with a powerful 7ft, clean cross-off wind, and a solid roll. That’s your day for a big, clean reef session. Tuesday morning, 28 July, is the safer bet for a solid 5ft wave.

Rusty.

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