Catherine Hill Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, straight up—this outlook for Catherine Hill Bay is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s a consistent break, but we’re looking at a real slow start before things get interesting. The water temp is sitting pretty normal for this time of year at 66°, nothing to write home about.

We’re kicking off on Tuesday the 14th of July with tiny 0.7ft southerly swell. It’s glassy, which is nice, but there’s just nothing to ride. That sets the tone for a rough patch. Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th see a big bump in size, with 8ft to 10ft southerly and south-southeast swell, but the wind is a strong cross-shore mess at 19 mph. It’s powerful—wave energy readings are up around 761 to 1419—but it’s lumpy and awful. This is expert-only territory at that size, and with that wind, it’s not even fun for them. Better suited for kite surfing than paddling.

We then drift into a lull. From Friday the 17th all the way through Saturday the 18th, it’s small, messy cross-on stuff with weak energy readings under 250. Not worth paddling out. Sunday the 19th brings a bit more size with 6ft easterly swell and moderate wave energy around 755-842, but the cross-on wind keeps it shabby. Monday the 20th is marginal at best—still messy.

Now, here’s the standout window. Tuesday the 21st of July morning is a real gem. We’ve got a clean 5ft easterly groundswell rolling in with a 10-second period and glassy conditions from a light northerly breeze. Combined wave energy is a solid 462, and the break is exposed to this ESE swell direction. It’s going to be clean and fun, though keep in mind crowds are possible here. Wednesday the 22nd morning is another beauty—clear skies, glassy, with 4ft easterly swell. It’s worth the paddle.

But the real winner? Thursday the 23rd of July morning. Glassy conditions, 6ft easterly swell with an 11-second period—proper groundswell—and wave energy hitting 804. This is the best on offer: clean, punchy, and well-shaped. It’s a good size for most.

After that, things fall apart. Friday the 24th through the end of the period is a mess of cross-onshore winds, strong breezes, and even a risk of thunderstorms and heavy rain by the 26th. The swell sticks around at 4ft to 6ft with long periods up to 13 seconds, but the wind ruins it. A few mornings near the end, like the 29th, show clean offshore conditions with tiny 3ft to 3ft swell, nice for a quiet session but nothing exciting.

So, bottom line: don’t bother until Tuesday the 21st, and absolutely don’t miss Thursday the 23rd morning. That’s the one.

Rusty.

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