Benete Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The forecast window kicks off with a solid pulse of long-period SSW groundswell, but this spot, Benete (reef and point), is a funny one – it rarely breaks, and even when it does, it’s really only for the experienced crew. It’s fairly exposed to the swell, and the optimum direction is SW, so that SSW is nudging into the zone.

The standout is Sunday the 2nd of August. We’ve got a 7ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and it’s glassy – dead calm wind. That’s a serious amount of energy humming in there (2040 combined energy), so the waves will have real push and shape. The water’s sitting at 80°, which is about average for the time of year. Because it’s a reef and point, that long-period groundswell should wrap in nicely and not just straighten out. But fair warning – this place rarely breaks, so for it to be this solid and clean, it’s a rare treat. It’s an expert-only wave at this size.

By Monday morning the 3rd, the swell drops slightly to 6ft, still 15-second period, and it’s glassy again. Still excellent for experienced surfers, with energy of 1374 – very strong. The wind stays light and clean through Monday afternoon too, turning cross-offshore from the east. That’s a nice window.

Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th get a bit messy. The swell drops a fraction, and the winds turn cross or cross-on, with that light cross-shore chop. The energy is still solid (1081 to 1510), but the quality isn’t as clean. Wednesday afternoon looks better – cross-off breeze and 5ft – a good, workable wave for the experienced.

Then from Thursday the 6th through to Sunday the 9th, the swell builds and holds strong – 7ft to 8ft, with periods staying between 16 and 17 seconds. The energy readings are massive (2485 to 3524). But here’s the catch: the wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and on Saturday the 8th, the afternoon breeze kicks up to 25 km/h (16 mph), creating cross-chop. That’s going to make it tricky. The morning of Sunday the 9th is cross again, but the afternoon cleans up with a cross-off breeze – 7ft, 16-second swell, energy of 2385. That’s another quality session for the experts.

The following week gets a bit bumpy. Monday the 10th has a 7ft to 8ft SSW groundswell, with periods of 15 to 17 seconds and very high energy (3229 to 4313), but the wind is cross-on and fresh, so it’ll be choppy. The best of that is probably the morning, but it’s only marginal for surf quality.

From the 11th onwards, the swell stays in the 4ft to 8ft range with periods between 13 and 17 seconds, but the wind is often cross or cross-on, and from the 15th to the 17th, moderate breezes make for chop. The energy drops off towards the end, with 828 to 1594 – still moderate to strong, but not as punchy.

So, overall: the true standout is Sunday morning the 2nd – glassy, 7ft, 16-second groundswell, and a break that rarely lines up. If you’re an expert and you can get in the water, that’s the one. Monday the 3rd morning and Sunday the 9th afternoon are also solid, clean options. After that, it’s a mix of okay waves with less favourable wind, and the last few days are smaller and chunkier.

Keep it on your radar though – when Benete does break, it can be special. Stay sharp.

Rusty.

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