Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Truth be told, it’s a pretty grim start. We’re looking at a long, quiet stretch with nothing worth paddling out for. For the first week and a half, from the 20th of July right through to the 30th, it’s practically flat or blown out. The wind is howling onshore or cross-onshore most days, and the swell is tiny, weak, and messy. The combined swell energy is often in the low double digits, barely registering. You’d be wasting your time.

Then, on the morning of Friday the 25th of July, the swell finally starts to show some life. A solid 6ft swell from the WNW rolls in, with a period of 10 seconds, giving a powerful combined energy of 637 (moderate energy). That’s a proper pulse. But here’s the kicker – the wind is onshore and strong at 19 mph, so it’s going to be a washing machine. At 6ft, it’s getting a bit much for beginners, but the real problem is the chop. This kind of setup at a beach or reef break would be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The wind stays messy right through to the end of the month, and the swell keeps pumping, with heights around 5ft to 6ft, but the quality is shot. The combined energy stays in the 300 to 600 range, showing there’s plenty of water moving, but it’s all wind-affected.

The only real glimmer of hope comes right at the back end of the forecast. On the morning of Friday the 31st of July, we get a tiny window of calm. The wind swings to a light offshore from the ESE, and the waves are clean. The swell is only 2ft from the west, with a period of 8 seconds, so it’s knee-high, but it'll be glassy. The combined energy is a weak 47. It’s not a surfer’s dream, but for a longboard or a foil, it’s the best we’ve seen in over a week.

Then, on the morning of Saturday the 1st of August, things get a little more interesting. A 2ft west swell with a 9-second period and a clean, light cross-offshore breeze from the east. The combined energy is 73. It’s still small, but the conditions are “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” – Rusty’s translation: it’s rideable and clean. The water temperature is a whopping 64°F, which is a massive 5°F warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s very unusual – you’ll notice it instantly.

The standout of the whole period is that Saturday the 1st of August. The break is Back Strands, a reef setup. The swell is tiny at 2ft to 2ft from the west, but the offshore wind is light and clean. The optimum swell direction for this spot is west, so it’s a perfect match. It’s small, so it’s fine for everyone, and the clean conditions will make it fun. The crowds are listed as “sometimes”, so you might have company, but on a 2ft wave, it won’t be packed.

After that, it’s back to poor conditions on the 2nd and 3rd of August, with the wind building again and the swell staying weak. The 4th of August sees a fresh 22 mph cross-shore wind and a 4ft NW swell with a combined energy of 265, but it’s lumpy and messy.

So, to sum it up: the first ten days are a write-off. The best bet is the morning of Saturday the 1st of August at Back Strands, for a clean, small-wave session. The long-range promise of the 25th of July had size, but no quality. Don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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