Castles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s heading our way. This is a classic case of a spot that needs a very specific window to come alive, and honestly, for the first little while, it’s a bit of a waiting game. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but don’t get your hopes up for the first week – there’s a real dry spell until things start to look more interesting.

Alright, let’s get into it. The only break on the cards here is Castles (reef), which is a consistent spot that’s exposed to the WSW swell. The water temperature is sitting at 61°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first few days are a bit of a struggle. Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th offer small, clean surf with a 4 ft and 3 ft SW swell, but it’s a cross-off wind and the energy is weak (538 and 215 respectively). The forecast is calling it marginal. Sunday the 19th is a write-off with poor conditions. Monday the 20th has a bit more promise in the afternoon – a 4 ft SW swell with glassy conditions (467 energy) – that’s a nice, clean window for a sneaky session, but it’s still small. Tuesday the 21st morning is similar, clean but small (437 energy). Wednesday the 22nd morning is glassy again with 3 ft, but it’s tiny.

Then we hit Thursday the 23rd. This is the first real standout. The morning brings a clean 6 ft SW swell from a 14-second period (1327 energy). That’s a solid, moderate energy pulse. The wind is a light cross-off, so it’ll be clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers, as it’s over 5 ft, so it’s getting a bit too much for beginners. The 14-second period means it’s a proper groundswell, which will wrap around the reef nicely. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-on wind, so get in early.

The following week is a mixed bag. Friday the 24th is still fun with a 5 ft SW swell (1169 energy), but the wind is light cross-on, so it’ll have a bit of a texture. Saturday the 25th drops off, and by Sunday the 26th it’s back to poor conditions. Monday the 27th has a very long period 19-second swell, but it’s tiny at 2 ft and cross-on, so it’s a washout.

Now, for the second week, the real potential shows up, but it’s a long way out. Tuesday the 28th of July sees a big jump in energy. A 6 ft SW swell with a 16-second period delivers a very strong 1420 energy. However, the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy. The morning is a better bet than the afternoon, which is a total write-off. The 30th of July is looking like the best of the longer-range outlook. The morning is clean with a fresh offshore wind (ENE) and a 4 ft SW swell (596 energy), but the afternoon is the real gem. A 4 ft SW swell, a 13-second period, and a moderate offshore wind (NE) (759 energy) – that’s clean, lined-up surf. It’s not huge, but the quality should be there. This is a promising session, but keep in mind it’s over a week away, so the forecast is a bit less certain.

So, the best on offer is Thursday the 23rd of July morning for the bigger, punchier swell, and then the afternoon of Thursday the 30th of July for a cleaner, more manageable session. Anything before that is just a tease.

Rusty.

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