Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for our patch – Cape Schanck.

Right now, it’s a bit of a write-off, I won’t lie. We're copping a strong, messy cross-shore blow with a big, raw 12ft SW swell, and the energy is absolutely pumping (combined energy of 5434). But it’s all chop and chaos – no good for a paddle. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is about what you'd expect for this time of year, nothing unusual.

That energy drops a little on Tuesday the 14th, but it’s still a big, onshore mess. Wednesday the 15th sees the swell ease a bit to 8ft, and the wind backs off to a moderate breeze, but it's still cross-shore and cross-on, making it choppy. It’s marginal at best.

Now, hold on to your board, because things finally start looking up on Friday the 17th. We get a really promising day. The morning sees a solid 7ft SW groundswell, with a long 16-second period, and a light offshore wind. That combined energy is still strong at 2258. But the real gem is Friday afternoon: the wind drops to dead glassy, the swell holds at 7ft with a super long 17-second period, and the energy is pumping (2795). This is excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers. Given the swell size is over 8ft is only for experts, but with 7ft and that perfect glass, this is the standout session.

Saturday the 18th is still okay in the morning with a smaller 6ft swell and a light offshore, but it fades to nothing by the afternoon. Sunday the 19th is small and clean, but weak. Then we hit a dry spell from Monday the 20th through to Thursday the 23rd – a few days with basically no rideable surf, just a little bump here and there.

Then, get this: another major pulse is brewing for Friday the 24th of July. The morning will be a big, powerful 10ft SW groundswell with an 18-second period – that's a very long period groundswell, the energy is massive (5158). The wind will be light, but cross-shore, so it'll be a bit lumpy. The real deal, though, is Friday afternoon: the swell eases to a still-chunky 8ft, the period is a dreamy 17 seconds, and the wind goes glassy again. Combined energy is still huge at 4376, and it's marked as excellent for experienced surfers. This is another absolute standout, but being a long period groundswell at a reef break like this, it should handle that energy beautifully.

Saturday the 25th keeps the run going with a clean 7ft SW swell and a moderate offshore breeze. The energy is strong (1864). It’s another good, solid day for the more experienced crew.

After that, the wind turns ugly again from Sunday the 26th onwards, with fresh cross-shore and cross-on winds making a mess of the 5ft to 7ft swells. The window of good surf closes by Monday the 27th.

So, to bottom line it: this forecast has a slow start, then a couple of epic windows. Your absolute best bets are Friday the 17th afternoon for that glassy, perfect 7ft SW groundswell, and Friday the 24th of July afternoon for the even bigger 8ft SW glassy groundswell. Both are for experienced surfers only, so don't be a hero if you're not ready for it.

Stay safe, catch you in the water.

Rusty.

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