Cathedral Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Cathedral Rock and I’m calling it now: this is a proper run for the point. The optimum swell is SSW, and the break is fairly exposed, so when it lines up, it fires. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so not an issue.

We start on Monday, July 20, with a nice clean 4ft swell from the WSW, period a solid 16 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (721). It’s a groundswell, and that long period will wrap beautifully around the point. Wind is a gentle cross-off from the NW, so the face will be clean. It’s a little small but the quality is there. Tuesday morning July 21 is the first true standout: 6ft from the WSW, period 13 seconds, energy (1077) is solid, and the wind is again a gentle cross-off. The waves will have a bit more push, still clean, and the point will handle that long period beautifully. This is the best on offer in the first week.

Wednesday July 22 gets a bit messy. The morning is clean but the swell drops to 4ft, and the afternoon sees a cross-shore wind and chop. Thursday July 23 is a big step up in size – 15ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore and the energy is strong (12951), creating a cross-chop. The surf is too big for beginners, and even for intermediates, that cross-shore is going to make it tricky. It’s a big, powerful, messy wave. Friday July 24 is even bigger, 16ft from the SW, period 15 seconds, energy (17490) is very strong, but the wind is a moderate cross-off, so it’s cleaner. This is only for experts, and the size is intimidating. The wave will be breaking straight and fast, and the point will feel the pinch.

The following week shows a gradual drop in size. Saturday July 25 is still big, 13ft, but the wind is less favourable. Sunday July 26 is a nice drop back to 6ft, clean with a light breeze, and the energy is moderate (997). Monday July 27 is also clean, 5ft from the SW, period 13 seconds, and light cross-off wind. Good, clean, solid intermediate waves.

The next standout is Tuesday July 28 morning: 6ft from the WSW, period 16 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the NNW at 12 mph. That’s a clean, offshore-lined point break with groundswell energy (1721). The wave will be smooth, with long sets, and the offshore wind will hold the face up. That’s the pick of the second week. The rest of the week is a mix of bigger, wind-affected surf, but the end of the period on August 3 and 4 shows clean, glassy mornings with 5ft to 6ft from the SW, period 13 to 15 seconds, and light offshore winds. That’s a classic summer point session.

The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you’ll get waves, but expect a few mates out there on the peaky days. The point at Cathedral Rock is the place to be.

Rusty.

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