Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming down the line for Cape Schanck.

Alright, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next 16 days, but there is some solid swell on the cards, especially for the experienced crew. First thing to note: the water temp is sitting at 58°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year—nothing wild, but a little bit of comfort if you’re suited up.

We kick off on Wednesday the 8th of July with a nice little pulse. The morning session is looking prime: a clean 5ft SW groundswell with a very long 19-second period, and a light NE offshore breeze. The combined wave energy is pumping at 2403, so there’s proper grunt in the water. This is excellent surf for the advanced surfer—Cape Schanck is a reef setup, and with that long period, it’ll be lining up nicely, though it might be a bit straight for some. The afternoon bumps up to 7ft from the SW, still a long 18 seconds, but the wind swings to a light cross-off ESE. Still clean, still meaty. Thursday the 9th holds decent at 5ft in the morning with light N wind, dropping to a glassy 4ft in the afternoon with a 3 mph easterly—that afternoon glass-off is a beauty. Friday the 10th is a bit smaller and more average, with 5ft and building northerly wind, but it’s still rideable.

Now, there’s a bleak patch from Saturday the 11th through to the start of the next week. Saturday and Sunday are blown out with near gale-force winds, and the swell disappears. Monday the 13th sees a big jump in size—10ft SW—but it’s all cross-onshore and messy, with strong winds. Tuesday the 14th has a massive 10ft SW swell at a very long 16 seconds, and the combined energy hits a staggering 4673, but it’s cross-off winds, so it might offer a window for the brave and skilled. Still, with that size and a reef, it’s experts only, and the wind is strong. Wednesday and Thursday the 15th and 16th are rough with onshore winds and messy conditions.

But then, hold on to your board. Friday the 17th of July brightens up big time. The morning delivers a clean 7ft SW groundswell with an 18-second period, a light easterly cross-off breeze, and a combined energy of 2790. That’s an excellent session for experienced surfers. The afternoon stays at 7ft with a light cross breeze, still very solid. Saturday the 18th also looks good—a clean 6ft SW in the morning with a gentle NNW cross-off. That’s quality stuff.

After that, the forecast turns sour again from Sunday the 19th, with strong winds and dropping swell, fading right down to nothing by Monday the 20th. Later in the week, around the 22nd and 23rd, there’s big messy swell from the SSW with short period and onshore winds—one for the kites, not the paddlers.

All in all, the standout window is the first two days (Wednesday and Thursday this week) and then the promise of Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th. That Friday morning with the clean 7ft and light offshore is probably the pick of the lot, but long-range calls are always less certain. The overnight crowds at Cape Schanck can be there often, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty

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