O'Neills Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at this stretch of the West Coast. O’Neills Bay is the only spot on the cards for the next 16 days, so it’s all about one place.

The window opens from Thursday, 23 July, with a solid pulse of southwest groundswell. Water temp is sitting at 57.6°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing shocking there.

Thursday morning is the first real standout. The swell is a clean 4 feet out of the southwest with a 14-second period, packing moderate energy (612). The wind is glassy out of the east-northeast, so the surf will be clean and lined up. It’s a bit of a bigger swell for the spot, but it’s not too big for the advanced crew here. O’Neills Bay is a fairly exposed beach, so that long-period groundswell will hold up nicely. The place is very consistent, and it’s often crowded, so expect company.

Thursday afternoon turns a bit messy with onshore winds and rain. The swell builds slightly to 4.6 feet (721 energy), but wind shifts west-southwest onshore, so the quality drops. The tide might also be a factor.

Friday, 24 July, starts with a smaller 3 feet southwest swell and a cross-offshore wind, so it’s clean but the size is down. The period holds at 12 seconds, so there’s still shape. It’s a backup option but not a standout.

The weekend of 25-26 July brings a big jump in size. Saturday is a write-off with 13-16 feet southwest swell and strong onshore winds (28 mph). The energy is massive (up to 7785), but the wind is wild, and the surf is poor. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle day.

Sunday, 26 July, comes with a 10 feet southwest swell, still very long 16-second period, and huge energy (3981). The wind goes light and cross-offshore in the morning, which cleans it up. This is excellent for experienced surfers only. The size is well over 8 feet, so it’s expert territory. The afternoon drops to 7.9 feet but the wind stays light and cross, so there’s still a chance.

Monday, 27 July, through Tuesday, 28 July, sees the swell easing from 6.9 feet down to 3 feet, but the wind is consistently cross-onshore from the south or southwest, so the surf is choppy or poor. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday, 29 July, morning offers a reprieve. The swell is a clean 3.3 feet at 11 seconds, with glassy north winds. Good surf conditions, but the energy is low (268). It’s a small, clean session for the patient.

Thursday, 30 July, the swell bumps up to 4.6-5.2 feet with a longer 13-15 second period. Energy climbs to 1167. The wind is cross or cross-onshore from the northwest, so it’s a bit bumpy but still surfable. Marginal.

Friday, 31 July, the morning brings a 8.2 feet west swell with a 14-second period, and onshore wind. The energy is high (2452), but the surface is poor. The afternoon drops to 5.2 feet and cleaner cross-onshore wind. Still marginal.

Now, the real standout in the second week is Saturday, 1 August. The morning is a beauty: 7.5 feet southwest swell, 12-second period, glassy east-northeast wind. The energy is strong (1550). This is excellent for strong intermediate to advanced surfers. The afternoon is also glassy, with an 8.2 feet swell and 10-second period, very clean. A top pick.

Sunday, 2 August, holds around 8.2 feet southwest swell but with a cross-shore wind, so it’s a bit less clean. Still surfable, but not as good as Saturday.

Monday, 3 August, drops to 4.9 feet, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s choppy.

Tuesday, 4 August, starts with a tiny 2.3 feet west-southwest swell but a clean cross-offshore wind. The period is a long 14 seconds, but it’s small. The afternoon jumps to 7.2 feet with a shorter 9-second period and cross-shore wind, marginal.

Wednesday, 5 August, kicks up again with 10 feet southwest swell, 13-second period, and cross-shore wind. The energy is huge (5192), but the wind is fresh and lumpy. Only for the hardcore.

Thursday, 6 August, is another standout. The morning is 8.2 feet southwest swell with a 15-second period, light cross-shore wind, and the energy is very high (4782). The afternoon goes glassy with a 7.5 feet swell, 14-second period, and clean conditions. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and the glassy afternoon makes it the best of the second week.

Friday, 7 August, finishes the window with a clean 4.9 feet southwest swell, 14-second period, glassy wind in the morning. Good conditions, but

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