Big Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let me tell ya straight: the next 16 days at Big Rock are a grind. There’s a long spell of small, weak surf with wind that’s just not cooperating. You’re looking at over a week of barely-there options before anything worth getting wet for shows up. The only real hope is right near the end, so hold your horses.

The water’s sitting at 70°F with an anomaly of 4°F above normal — that’s much warmer than typical for this time of year, so at least the chill won’t bite.

From Wednesday 8 July through to about Saturday 18 July, it’s a tough stretch. Swell heights are stuck between 2ft and 3ft, all from the SW or SSW, with periods mostly 13 to 16 seconds – that’s groundswell, but there’s just no juice. The combined energy is weak, ranging from 191 to 909, meaning it’s barely got any kick. Winds are cross-on or cross for the most part, with some chop. A couple of afternoons on Friday 17 July offer a light cross-off breeze and clean conditions, but the swell’s only 2ft, so it’s not worth the effort.

The real standout lands on Sunday 19 July and Monday 20 July. Sunday morning and afternoon sees a jump to 6ft to 6ft of S swell, with a period of 16 seconds and combined energy hitting 1969 to 2011 – finally some moderate power. It’s still a bit messy with a gentle cross-onshore breeze from the NW, but the size and consistency give you proper waves. This is an advanced reef break, and at that size it’s for experts only — too big for beginners. The swell direction is S, not the ideal W, but the spot is exposed and will catch it. Crowds are often here, so don’t expect solitude.

By Monday 20 July, the swell holds at 5ft to 6ft from the SSW, with periods dropping to 12–13 seconds and energy at 1312 to 1047. Winds stay cross-on or onshore, so it won’t be glassy, but there’s enough size for a session. This is the best the whole forecast has to offer, but it’s more than a week out (the 19th and 20th), so keep an eye on it — promising but not set in stone.

After that, from Tuesday 21 July on, the swell fades back to 3ft to 3ft with poor conditions, so the window closes fast. If you’re keen, pencil in that Sunday and Monday — it’s your only real shot.

Rusty.

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