Castles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat about what’s on the way for the next few weeks. We’ve got a solid run of south-west groundswell coming through, but there’s a bit of rubbish wind to sit through before we get the clean stuff.

The first couple of days are a total bust with strong onshore winds. Don’t even bother paddling out Wednesday or Thursday of this week. The real action starts to shape up from Friday, and there’s a killer window that’ll have the regulars buzzing.

Castles is a consistent reef break that’s wide open to that south-west swell direction. The water’s sitting at 59°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there.

Let’s run through it. Friday the 14th is where we get our first proper look. The swell’s still solid, around 7 ft to 7 ft from the SW with a long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, with moderate wave energy (values between 2017 and 2220). The wind goes light and clean, cross-offshore from the ESE to SE. Conditions will be tidy, but this one’s for the experienced crew – that size and power on a reef at over 6 ft is no joke for beginners or intermediates.

Saturday the 15th drops down a touch, with 5 ft to 6 ft SW swell, still with that long 16-second period. Wave energy is still moderate (1155 to 1392). The wind is a moderate cross-off, keeping it clean. It’s good, but it’s not the standout.

The standout is Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th. Sunday morning sees the swell dropping to 4 ft from the SW, but now we’re talking offshore wind from the east (12 mph). That’s glassy, clean, and perfect. The period is still a solid 14 seconds. Moderate energy (668). This is the kind of morning you set the alarm for. Monday the 17th keeps that magic going: 4 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and light offshore easterly breeze all day. Clean, gentle, and fun. Wave energy is still moderate (762 to 784). This is the best small-wave window on offer. Perfect for a longboard or a fish.

Tuesday the 18th is a write-off with strong northerly winds and dropping swell. Wednesday the 19th is tiny and weak.

Then we’ve got a gap before things get interesting again. Friday the 21st sees a bump back up to 6 ft to 6 ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-shore, so it won’t be as clean as the Sunday/Monday run. Saturday the 22nd is messy with strong onshore wind.

Sunday the 23rd has a weird one. Morning is small and onshore, but the afternoon throws up a 10 ft W swell with a very long 17-second period and light onshore wind. Wave energy is very strong (5491). That’s a massive, powerful swell for the reef. The wind is onshore, so it won’t be pristine, but for a big-wave charger, that’s a session worth watching. This one’s for experts only – over 8 ft is big water.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th stay big, around 7 ft to 8 ft, but the wind is messy and onshore or cross-shore. Not great.

Then, another promising window pops up on Wednesday the 26th. Morning session shows 6 ft SW swell with a 14-second period and light offshore wind from the east. Clean conditions and moderate energy (1700). That’s another excellent window for experienced surfers.

After that, the swell fades and the wind picks up again to close out the period.

So, if you’re looking to get wet, Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th are your absolute best bets for clean, fun, manageable waves with offshore wind. The Wednesday the 26th morning is also a solid shout for a clean, bigger wave session.

Stay frothy, and I’ll see you out the back.

Rusty.

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