Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into this one. The swell window has opened up proper, and we’ve got a good run ahead, but we gotta dodge some messy days to find the clean gems.

The first real action kicks off Monday, July 6th. The morning will greet you with a clean 5ft SW swell off a long 14-second period – that’s groundswell energy, bringing proper shape. The wind is a light offshore from the NE, so expect smooth faces. The combined wave energy is solid (1026) – it’s got some grunt. By Monday afternoon, it goes glassy with a light SSW air, dropping slightly to 4ft but still that lovely 14-second pulse. This is your classic “get out there” window at Cape Schanck.

Tuesday the 7th continues the tune-up. A morning offshore from the NE again, with a clean 3ft SW swell. But check the period: 17 seconds. That’s very long-period groundswell. For a reef like Cape Schanck, that means long, lined-up waves with plenty of push, though the gaps between sets will be bigger. The energy stays solid (853). The afternoon shifts to a cross-shore from the SE, bumping up to 5ft, but the quality drops a bit – it’s a touch more mixed.

Now, the standout window is Wednesday, July 8th. This is the one to circle. Wednesday morning serves up 5ft SW swell with a massive 19-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the ENE. The combined energy jumps to 2380 – that’s strong wave energy. This is a punchy, powerful groundswell hitting a fairly exposed reef. This is expert territory. It’s not for beginners – at 5ft with that period, the power is serious. Wednesday afternoon sees the swell bump up to 7ft, period 18 seconds, wind a light cross-off from the SE, and energy at 2954. This is the peak of the run. If you’re an experienced surfer, you don’t want to miss these two sessions. The reef will be handling the energy well, setting up long walls. But with crowds listed as “often”, expect some company at the take-off zone.

Thursday the 9th settles back a bit. Morning has a 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, but the wind is a light cross-off from the north – still clean. The energy is moderate (1140). Thursday afternoon goes glassy again, with a 4ft SW swell, 15 seconds. Nice and clean, but more of a mellow follow-up to Wednesday’s power.

Friday the 10th is a bit of a mixed bag. A moderate breeze from the north picks up in the morning, with a 5ft SW swell and 16-second period, but the score says there are questionable tide issues. Good energy (1256), but you’ll want to time the tide right. The afternoon cleans up with a light NNE breeze and 5ft SW swell – still worth a look.

Then we hit a rough patch. Saturday the 11th kicks off with strong, gusty northerly winds (25-31 mph) that make the surf poor. Sunday the 12th is even worse – strong cross-shore and onshore winds, rain, and the swell drops to tiny, messy lumps. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are blown out by strong SW to westerly winds, with swell jumping to a messy 10ft on Tuesday morning but it’s cross-shore and lumpy – not for paddling. Wednesday the 15th sees a big 8ft SW swell with a 16-second period, but it’s straight onshore from the SSW at 19 mph – that’s a washing machine. This stretch from the 11th to the 15th is a write-off for surfing.

Things turn around Thursday, July 16th. It starts with a light cross-off from the NNE and a clean 6ft SW swell, 15-second period. The energy is strong (1321). The afternoon goes glassy, with a light SW breeze and a 5ft SW swell, 14 seconds. That’s a beautiful, clean session to close out the window. After a long break of nasty weather, this is a welcome return.

Friday the 17th is okay – moderate cross-off winds with a 4ft SW swell, but only fair quality. Saturday the 18th sees strong northerly winds again, blowing across a 5ft SW swell – the energy is there (1516) but the wind ruins it. Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th stay blown out or onshore, with poor conditions. The forecast ends on Tuesday the 21st with a fresh onshore SW wind and a 5ft SSW swell – not a good note.

The best on offer is hands-down Wednesday, July 8th at Cape Schanck, both morning and afternoon, with that heavy groundswell and light winds. The second standout is Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th for the clean, long-period groundswell. After that, Thursday the 16th is your next real clean day.

The water temp is about average for the time of year. The swell is coming from the SW, which matches the optimum direction for this break.

Rusty.

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