Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a solid window of clean, powerful surf for the experienced crew, and a couple of proper standout sessions that are worth clearing the calendar for.

The first few days are actually the best of the near-term, with a long period SW groundswell lining up. Friday morning (17 July) sees a 6.9 ft SW swell with a 16-second period rolling into Cape Schanck (reef). The combined energy is a solid 2284, which is moderate to strong, and with a gentle NNW cross-off breeze, it’s going to be clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The water temp is around average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Friday afternoon stays similar with a 6.9 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a light N breeze keeping it clean. The energy bumps up to 2381.

Saturday morning (18 July) drops a little to 5.6 ft from the SW, 14-second period, but the wind goes cross-shore from the NW, so expect a bit of cross-chop. The energy is moderate at 1154. The afternoon cleans up nicely though – 5.2 ft SW, 13 seconds, with a light NNW cross-off breeze. The energy is 880, and it’ll be clean. A decent option for a relaxed session.

Sunday morning (19 July) is a write-off with barely a ripple. The afternoon picks up with a 3.3 ft SW swell, 12-second period, and a light NNW cross-off breeze. The energy is weak at 338, but it’s clean. The rest of the week from Monday (20 July) through to Wednesday (22 July) is mostly flat or very weak, with poor conditions. There’s a long gap with no real surf to speak of.

We get a pulse of energy on Thursday (23 July), but it’s a write-off. An 8.2 ft SW swell, 14-second period, with a near gale WSW cross-on wind. Blown out. The following days are similar – plenty of size, but the wind is ruining it. Friday (24 July) has 8.2 ft SW, 14 seconds, but onshore winds. Saturday (25 July) pumps big energy at 5002 for a 9.8 ft SW swell, but it’s onshore and choppy. Sunday (26 July) is a little smaller at 5.9 ft SW, but still cross-onshore.

Now, the standout. It’s a long way out, but keep an eye on Thursday 30 July. The morning session is the real deal. Cape Schanck is looking at a 9.8 ft SW swell with a 17-second period – that’s very long period groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 6926, which is strong. The wind is a light NNW cross-off, so it will be clean. This is an exceptional session for expert surfers only. That size and period will be too much for beginners and most intermediates. It’s a reef break, and with that long period, it’ll be powerful and straight, but the offshore wind should make it clean. The energy in the afternoon is even higher at 8214, but the wind swings onshore from the SW, so it’ll be a mess.

The window closes a bit after that. Friday morning (31 July) has a 7.5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a gentle NNW cross-off breeze. The energy is 2540, and it’s clean. A solid option for experienced surfers, but not the same level as the Thursday. The first of August (Saturday) fades to 4.3 ft SW, but the wind is a cross-off from the E at 15.5 mph, so it’ll be clean, just small.

So, the pick of the entire forecast is the morning of Thursday 30 July at Cape Schanck. That’s the one to circle. The Friday before (17 July) is also a great session for the experienced crew. The rest is either too small, blown out, or both. For the advanced surfer, it’s a two-session window that’s worth the wait.

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