Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next stretch.

Right off the bat, there’s a bit of a wait. The first few days are nothing to write home about, with messy onshore winds and lumpy conditions. Thursday the 30th of July kicks off with a solid SW swell at 7ft but the wind is on it and it’s just poor. That combo of strong WSW wind and a heavy combined energy (1784) is a write-off for a surf. We’ve got to hang tight until Friday afternoon.

Friday the 31st of July afternoon is where it starts to turn. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the SW, with a decent 12-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s a real treat after the slop. The combined energy is still moderate at 511, but with glassy conditions, it’ll be a fun little session. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing unusual.

The real standout pops up Saturday the 1st of August. Saturday afternoon is where it’s at. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the SW, period stretches to a very long 17 seconds, and the wind is a clean cross-off from the NNW. That’s a recipe for quality waves at Cape Schanck, a reef break that’s consistent and fairly exposed to this SW swell. The combined energy is strong at 2152, so there’s plenty of push. This is the one to point the car at. It’s an advanced spot, and with that size and period, it’s not for beginners. The long period will mean longer lulls between sets, but when they come, they’ll be well-shaped and powerful. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Sunday the 2nd of August still has a clean 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is up to a fresh 22 mph. That cross-off wind will keep it clean, but the breeze is strong, making it more of a battle. It’s still surfable, but Saturday is the better day.

Monday the 3rd of August sees the swell drop and the wind switch onshore, turning it ugly. Then we get a few days of marginal surf and onshore winds, with a bit of a bump on Thursday the 6th of August, but the wind is on it again.

Then another bright spot pops up on Friday the 7th of August. Friday morning looks glassy, with a 6ft SW swell and a 14-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1859. Another excellent session for experienced surfers, with glassy conditions. That’s a solid second option.

The following week gets a bit patchy. There’s a decent swell on the 12th of August, but the wind is onshore. Then Wednesday the 12th of August afternoon sees a clean offshore wind from the NE, with a 6ft SW swell and 13-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1357, and the wind is straight off. That’s another quality window.

Thursday the 13th of August morning is clean offshore with a 6ft SW swell, though the period is a shorter 10 seconds. Still, with light wind and clean conditions, it’ll be fun.

The 14th of August has a long-period SW swell (16 seconds) but the wind is moderate, so it’s not a standout, but still surfable.

Overall, the best of the lot is that Saturday the 1st of August afternoon. Big, clean, long-period groundswell, and perfect wind. That’s the one to clear the calendar for. The Friday the 7th of August morning is a close second. After that, keep an eye on the 12th and 13th of August for some clean, offshore windows.

Rusty.

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