Cathedral Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, dialling you in on what's shaping up for Cathedral Rock on the Mid North Coast. This is the spot that's got our attention for the next couple of weeks, so let's get into it.

We're kicking off on Sunday the 26th of July with a solid pulse of SW groundswell. The water's sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year. Sunday morning is the standout early call – 8ft of SW swell with a clean 11-second period and a light cross-off breeze from the West. The energy is pumping at 2418, and it's top-tier for experienced surfers. If you've got the chops, this is your window. The afternoon drops to 6ft but goes glassy, which is a treat.

Monday the 27th stays good. Morning has 6ft SW swell with a clean cross-off from the NW. The wind picks up a notch by the afternoon to a solid offshore from the NNW at 12 mph, keeping the 5ft SW swell clean and lined up. This is consistent, fun surf – not too big, not too small.

Tuesday the 28th sees the swell bump back up to 7ft in the morning with a longer 13-second period from the SW. The energy jumps to 2921. A cross-off NW breeze at 16 mph keeps it clean. By the afternoon, it's 8ft with a 14-second period, still cross-off but with rain showers around. It's a bit more of a handful, but still manageable for the keen.

Now, Wednesday the 29th is a write-off. That SW swell rockets to 13ft with a 16-second period, but the wind swings onshore out of the SW at 16 mph. The energy is huge at 8539, but it's a messy, choppy mess. This is expert-only territory at best, and honestly, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Leave it.

Thursday the 30th settles back to 8ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period. The wind goes cross-shore from the West, but there's a cross-chop that makes it a bit average. It's rideable, but not the best.

Then we get a golden run. Friday the 31st through to Monday the 3rd of August is where it's at. Friday morning is glassy and clear with 6ft SW swell, and the afternoon is the same. Saturday the 1st starts small at 4ft, but the afternoon brings 6ft SW swell with a long 16-second period and a cross-off breeze. Sunday the 2nd is the absolute peak – 7ft SW groundswell, 16-second period, and an offshore from the NNE at 3 mph. The energy is 1885, and it's clean all day. Monday the 3rd keeps the offshore flow going with 6ft SW swell. For a point break like Cathedral Rock, that long-period groundswell is going to draw beautifully down the reef – expect lined-up waves and longer lulls between sets, making the paddle out easier.

After that, Tuesday the 4th pushes up to 12ft from the WSW with a 13-second period. The morning has a cross-off NW wind, so the more experienced crew can get in on that. But by the afternoon, it gets messy with cross-shore wind. Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th look hit-or-miss with the wind, but Thursday morning is special – 10ft of SW swell with an offshore breeze from the North at 6 mph. That's solid and clean. Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th have a consistent 7ft to 8ft SW swell with a moderate NNW cross-off breeze. It's clean but a bit choppy on the surface.

The run fades into the second week. Sunday the 9th of August drops to 4ft with a fresh 19 mph NNW cross-off – small and blown out. Monday the 10th is a total loss with onshore SW winds and a messy, choppy sea state. Not worth paddling out.

So to sum it up, your best bets are Sunday morning the 26th for the experienced crew, and the golden window from Friday the 31st through to Monday the 3rd of August – that's the one to circle on the calendar. Crowds can show up at Cathedral Rock sometimes, so get there early.

Rusty.

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