Bird Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about Bird Rock (reef) for the next couple of weeks. This spot is an advanced reef break that handles a south-west swell best, and it’s fairly consistent, so there’s always something to keep an eye on. Right now, the water’s sitting at about 56.5°F, which is entirely normal for this time of year – no surprises there.

We kick off on Thursday, the 30th of July, with a clean 4.6 ft south-south-west swell from a 13-second period. The energy is moderate (675) and the wind is a light cross-off from the west-south-west. It’s surfable, but the call is marginal, so don’t get too excited.

Friday the 31st is looking better. The morning brings a clean 3.6 ft south-west swell, 12-second period, with a light cross-off north-westerly – clean, easy paddling. Even better, Friday afternoon turns glassy as the wind drops to 3 mph from the south, with a 3.3 ft south-south-west swell. That’s a true standout for the week: glassy and clean, the kind of session you remember.

Saturday the 1st of August starts small, with a 2.3 ft south-west swell, but the period is a very long 17 seconds – that’s classic groundswell energy, best for the reef here. The water’s clean with a light cross-off north wind. But the real standout is Saturday afternoon: 4.6 ft south-west swell, still that very long 17-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 2001 – that’s strong. Light cross-off north-north-east wind. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but those long-period swells can crack a bit straight at beach breaks – here on the reef, it’ll line up nicely. Crowds are possible, so get in early.

Sunday the 2nd holds similar 4.6 ft and 3.9 ft south-west swells through the day, but the wind picks up to a moderate 12 mph cross-off – still clean, but the conditions are more marginal. Monday the 3rd sees a fresh 19 mph offshore north-westerly in the morning – that’s a big positive for cleanliness – with a 3.6 ft south-west swell. The afternoon bumps up to 5.2 ft with moderate energy (1004), but the wind swings to a cross-off. Both sessions get a marginal call.

Tuesday the 4th builds a bit: 3.9 ft in the morning, 6.2 ft in the afternoon, both south-west, with moderate wind. The afternoon’s energy is strong at 1287, but the wind is cross-off and it’s still marked marginal. Wednesday the 5th drops right back to 1.6 ft and 2.0 ft, very long-period south-west swells, clean and light – good for a quiet paddle but nothing punchy.

There’s a bit of a dry spell from Thursday the 6th through Sunday the 9th. Swells hold between 2.0 ft and 3.9 ft, but the winds get messy – onshore, cross-shore with chop, and even 22 mph gusts. The ratings tank, and on Saturday the 8th there’s a poor call with a 2.0 ft lump and moderate cross-chop. Not worth your time.

Now we look ahead. Monday the 10th of August morning shows promise: a moderate 16 mph offshore north-westerly, 4.3 ft south-west swell at 16 seconds, energy nearly 1000 – that’s a very good call. Clean and lined up for advanced surfers. The afternoon gets bigger at 5.9 ft but the wind turns cross-off, and it’s a marginal read.

Tuesday the 11th of August is where it gets interesting. The morning pushes 7.2 ft south-west at 15 seconds, strong energy at 2027 – that’s expert territory. The afternoon though: 13.1 ft south-west swell, 14-second period, with an absolutely massive combined energy of 7575. That is strong to very strong. The wind is a light cross-off, clean. This is the standout of the whole outlook, but it’s for experts only. If you’re not solid, stay on the beach. Crowds are possible, but at this size, most will think twice.

Wednesday the 12th of August drops to 5.2 ft and 4.9 ft, but the wind turns cross-onshore and onshore – choppy and poor. Skip it. Thursday the 13th of August recovers: a 3.0 ft south-west swell, 18-second period, clean with a light cross-off westerly, energy at 1052 – very good. Then Thursday afternoon delivers a 5.9 ft south-west swell, short 10-second period, clean and light, rated excellent for experienced surfers.

Friday the 14th of August ends the run with a 3.6 ft south-west swell in the morning, big 18-second period, and a 3.6 ft in the afternoon – both clean with light cross-off winds. The afternoon is a very good call.

So to sum up: the best windows are Friday 31st afternoon’s glassy session, Saturday 1st afternoon on the long-period groundswell, and the big Tuesday 11th afternoon for experts only. If you’re a regular, aim for those.

Rust

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