Bay of Martyrs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a yarn about what’s coming up at Bay of Martyrs over the next couple of weeks.

This is a solid reef break, exposed to the south, so when the swell lines up right, it’s a proper wave, but you’ve gotta earn it. Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a slow start, but once things clean up, there are some absolute gems on the horizon.

The water temperature is sitting at 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – you might not need the thickest rubber, but don’t get too cocky.

First up, Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th are write-offs. We’ve got a massive 20ft and then 12ft swell, but the wind is a cross-onshore mess, 19 mph and 12 mph respectively, making it choppy and ugly. The combined swell energy is massive (14909, then 4728), but it’s just not surfable. Save your energy.

Sunday the 5th starts to show some promise, but it’s still marginal. The swell drops to 16ft from the SSW with a 17-second period, which is a long groundswell, but the wind is cross-onshore at 9 mph in the morning, improving to a cross-shore breeze in the afternoon. The energy is still high (13529 morning, 9939 afternoon). I’d give it a look, but don’t expect perfection.

Now, here’s the first standout: Monday the 6th of July. The swell drops to a much more manageable 8ft in the morning, easing to 7ft in the afternoon, still from the SSW with a 14-second period. But the game changer is the wind. We get a gentle offshore breeze from the NNE at 9 mph in the morning, swinging light offshore from the north at 6 mph in the afternoon. That means clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy is moderate (2746 morning, 1981 afternoon). This is an excellent window for experienced surfers, and the long period groundswell will make for some proper shaped waves on this reef.

Tuesday the 7th keeps the good times rolling. Early morning is glassy, with a 3 mph northerly breeze, and a 7ft SW swell at 16 seconds. The energy is still moderate (2177). It’s clean, it’s calm, and it’s a beautiful morning for a paddle. The afternoon goes a bit onshore and messy, so get it early.

Then Wednesday the 8th of July is the real standout – the best of the whole run. The morning is glassy, with some clouds, a 12ft SW swell and an 18-second period. That is a very long period groundswell, and on this reef, it’s going to produce exceptional, powerful, well-shaped waves for expert surfers. The combined energy is strong (7089). The wind is a slight air from the east, keeping it glassy. This is a day for the crew who knows what they’re doing. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

After that, the quality drops off a bit for a few days, with cross-onshore winds and more marginal conditions through the 9th and 10th, though there are brief clean windows on the mornings of the 10th and 11th with offshore winds and smaller swell (5ft – 7ft).

The next big moment is Sunday the 12th of July. The afternoon session is a ripper: 13ft of WSW swell, 16-second period, and a moderate offshore breeze from the NNW at 12 mph. The combined energy is strong (8364). This is exceptional surf for experts, packed with power and the wind keeping it clean. Another one for the core crew.

Monday the 13th gets too big – 21ft – with cross-onshore wind, and then Tuesday the 14th through to the end of the 16th is plagued by strong onshore winds and messy conditions. There’s a glimmer on the 17th and 18th with smaller 8ft – 10ft swells and lighter cross-onshore breezes, but honestly, it’s marginal.

The standout sessions are the morning of Monday the 6th, and the glassy morning of Wednesday the 8th – that’s your pick of the litter.

Rusty.

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