Carlton Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Carlton Rivermouth for the next couple of weeks.

The first real standout is on Sunday, 2nd August. The morning sees a 5ft southerly swell, period a massive 17 seconds – proper groundswell, with combined energy at 1323 (moderate). The wind is a light northerly, cross-offshore, so the waves are clean and lined up. Water temp is 52°, about average for the time of year. The afternoon stays clean with a 4ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and offshore northerly winds. This is the best of the early run – clean, well-shaped, and that long period is going to produce some nice lines, though being a beach/sandbar setup, the long period might make it a bit straight.

Monday morning, 3rd August, drops to 3ft SSW swell, still a nice 14-second period, with glassy offshore winds from the NNE. Good for a smaller, clean session. The afternoon turns a bit messy with cross-shore winds and the swell fading to 2ft.

There’s a lull from Tuesday morning through to Friday – very small waves, mostly under 2ft, with ordinary onshore or cross-onshore winds. Not worth getting wet for.

Saturday, 8th August, brings cleaner conditions – 3ft SSW swell with 16-second period, light offshore northerly winds in the morning and a cross-offshore breeze in the afternoon. Combined energy around 367-617. Decent for a smaller board.

The real highlight is further out. On Thursday, 13th August, the morning swell pumps up to 6ft from the SSW, period 17 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1814 (moderate-strong). Winds are cross-offshore from the NW, so it stays clean. This is a powerful, long-period groundswell. But at 6ft, it’s pushing into the “too big for beginners” zone, and with that very long period, the sets will be fat and powerful, best suited for confident intermediate to advanced surfers on a point or reef setup. The afternoon gets messy with onshore winds, so morning is the go.

Friday, 14th August, is another big day – 6ft SSW swell in the morning, 17-second period, combined energy a massive 4197 (strong). Winds are cross-shore from the WNW, so there’ll be a bit of a cross-chop, but plenty of push. The afternoon switches to a shorter-period 7ft SSE swell (10 seconds), which is messy and less appealing.

After that, it drops off again. Saturday, 15th August, sees a cleaner 5ft morning session, but by Sunday the 16th, strong cross-onshore winds and rain ruin the party. Monday, 17th August, stays choppy and cross-shore. So the second week is a case of pick your window carefully.

Overall, the best on offer is Sunday morning, 2nd August, and Thursday morning, 13th August. Sunday is cleaner and more manageable, Thursday is bigger and more powerful but still a great option if you’re keen for a challenge. Crowds can be around at Carlton Rivermouth sometimes, so get in early.

Rusty.

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