Bay of Martyrs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

This is a straight-up reef set-up, and it’s a spot that doesn’t pump every day, so when it lines up you want to be on it. The run of surf starts from Thursday the 16th of July, but the first couple of days are a bit messy. Thursday morning has a solid 12ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-on, and the combined energy is a hefty 6561 (moderate-strong), so it’s big and chunky, not clean. Not worth paddling out for the hassle.

Friday the 17th is where it gets interesting. That morning, we’ve got a 12ft SW groundswell, with a period of 16 seconds – that’s some serious long-period energy. The wind is a clean offshore from the NNW, and the combined energy is 5547 (moderate-strong). This is the standout. Bay of Martyrs is a reef, so it’ll handle that long period beautifully, giving you proper, powerful lines. It’s an advanced wave at this size, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for the sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth the paddle. The water temp is about average for the time of year.

Saturday the 18th is still solid, with a 8ft to 8ft WSW swell and offshore winds in the morning, but the energy drops a bit – still clean though. Sunday the 19th drops further to 5ft, but still offshore and clean. That run of clean offshore winds is a real blessing.

Into the next week, Monday the 20th sees a bump back up to 6ft from the WSW, with a 16-second period again, and a moderate offshore breeze. The energy is 1833 (moderate). It’s good, but not quite the peak of Friday. Tuesday the 21st is similar, 7ft to 8ft, clean. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd hold at around 5ft to 7ft, with clean conditions.

Then we hit a rough patch. Friday the 24th through to Sunday the 26th of July the wind swings onshore and it gets messy. There’s a massive 13ft swell on the Sunday morning, but with cross-shore wind and a combined energy of 9154 (strong), it’s a washing machine. Not for paddling, maybe interesting for the kite crew.

After that, the pattern cleans up again. Monday the 27th has a 12ft SW swell with a moderate offshore from the NNW, energy of 4498 (moderate-strong). Tuesday the 28th is similar, 12ft to 10ft, with offshore winds. Wednesday the 29th still has 10ft swell, but the wind goes a bit funky in the afternoon. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are a bit messy again.

So, the clear standout is Friday the 17th of July morning. That’s the one to circle. The following week has consistent swell but it’s a bit more of a gamble with the wind. It’s a classic reef that doesn’t fire often, so when it does, you make the call.

Rusty.

Read more