Ballina North Wall Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Ballina North Wall over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, this is a 16-day window that starts with a big, ugly gap. The first few days are a total write-off, so don’t even bother. We’re looking at a solid wait until around Wednesday the 22nd before anything surfable shows up.

The opening days, from Sunday the 19th through Tuesday the 21st, are a complete mess. We’ve got a strong southerly breeze whipping in, with a big, chunky 15 ft swell on Sunday that’s just cross-shore and messy. That’s a no-go. Monday drops a bit to 12 ft, but it’s still cross-onshore and lumpy. By Tuesday, the swell is down but the wind is still cross-onshore, leaving it choppy and ordinary. Absolutely nothing worth paddling out for.

Now, Wednesday morning the 22nd is where we finally see a glimmer. The wind swings offshore from the WSW at 10 km/h, and the swell has dropped to a manageable 5 ft from the east, with a period of 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (380), and the conditions are clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s a start. The water temp is sitting at 69°, which is about average for the time of year, so no thermal shock.

Thursday the 23rd is a bit of a letdown. The swell fades to just 4 ft, and while the morning is clean, the wave size is too small to get excited about. The energy is weak (179). Friday the 24th brings a pulse of new swell from the SSE, hitting 7 ft in the morning, but it’s worth noting that the wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This spot can get a bit heavy when it’s over 7 ft, so this one is more for the experienced crew. The energy is moderate (545).

The real standout, and the one to circle on your calendar, comes on Monday the 27th of July. The afternoon session is looking glassy – a light SSE breeze, dead calm, with a 5 ft S/SSE groundswell rolling in at 11 seconds. This is a long period, which means good shaped waves, more energy, and longer gaps between sets. The combined energy is strong (640). This is the best on offer for the whole period, and it’s a proper session for the advanced surfer. Definitely a glassy, clean, and powerful afternoon.

The following days are a mixed bag. Tuesday the 28th is small and marginal. Wednesday the 29th sees a big spike of 8 ft from the SSE with a very long 16-second period, but again, the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This is expert territory only, and the cross-shore wind will make it lumpy. The energy is very strong (3373). Thursday the 30th morning is a better chance – 5 ft, clean, cross-off wind, strong energy (628). That’s a solid session.

Further out, the 31st of July starts with a glassy morning, 4 ft, but it’s a small, clean wave. The first few days of August are similar: small, clean, and surfable, but nothing that will blow your mind. The 3rd of August brings a 3 ft long-period swell (15 seconds) with clean conditions, but it’s small.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a write-off until the 22nd. The clear standout is Monday the 27th afternoon – glassy, 5 ft, and a long period. That’s your best bet. The 30th of July morning is a good backup. The second week is quieter, with a few small, clean mornings but nothing to get the heart racing. Keep an eye on the 29th if you’re a hardcore charger, but it’s a big one.

Stay safe, watch the tides, and I’ll see you out there.

Rusty.

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