Catherine Hill Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been eyeballing the charts for Catherine Hill Bay. It’s a real mixed bag over the next 16 days, but there’s a couple of windows that’ll get you stoked. Water temp is 65°, which is pretty average for this time of year, no surprises there.

We start Sunday afternoon, 26 July, with a 6ft south swell at 11 seconds, but the wind is blowing from the ESE at 10 km/h – onshore, so it’s a messy, marginal call. The combined energy is moderate at 651, but it’s not worth paddling for.

Now, Monday morning, 27 July, is the one. The wind goes glassy, completely off from the west at 5 km/h, and that 4ft south swell with a 9-second period will be clean as a whistle. The combined energy is 243, but it’s those perfect conditions – light, offshore, and glassy – that make this a standout for a quiet, fun session. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s a great chance to get wet without the crowds.

The rest of the week is a bit average. Tuesday morning, 28 July, has a tiny 2ft south swell with weak energy (57), and Wednesday, 29 July, is just a puff of 0.7ft swell with a weird 17-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell, but too small to do anything. Strong offshore wind, but no power.

Thursday, 30 July, we see a jump. Morning brings an 8ft south swell, 10 seconds, and a cross-off wind, with strong energy (2231). It’s only marginal, and it’s big enough for experienced surfers only. The afternoon gets even bigger at 10ft, 11 seconds, and a cross-on wind, churning it up. Heavy day, best left to the pros.

Friday, 31 July, is the real standout. Morning has a 8ft south swell, 10 seconds, and a clean cross-off wind from the SW at 15 km/h. The combined energy is 1140, and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one – solid, clean, and glassy. The afternoon gets a bit messy, but that morning session is pure gold.

Saturday, 01 August, has a 6ft SSE swell with moderate energy (500), under light rain and a cross-off. It’s marginal, but not terrible. Sunday, 02 August, is another cracker: morning is glassy with a WNW wind at 5 km/h, and a 6ft SE swell with a 13-second period – long-period groundswell. The combined energy is 962, and the glassy conditions will make it beautiful. This is a standout for a relaxed, clean session.

The first week of August fades. Monday, 03 August, has a 5ft SE swell, but the afternoon goes cross-shore and messy. Tuesday, 04 August, is tiny with 2ft, and Wednesday, 05 August, has a 3ft south swell that’s clean but small. Then Thursday, 06 August, the swell jumps to 13ft – huge, with a 10-second period and strong energy (3318). The wind is cross-off, but it’s too big for this break. Same on Friday, 07 August, with 13ft and 15ft south swells, and strong energy (2740 to 4115). This is only for the hardcore, or more likely, a kite-surfing show.

The second week fades. Saturday, 08 August, has a 7ft south swell but strong cross-on winds, and Sunday, 09 August, has a 7ft SE swell with onshore winds from storms. The final days, 10 August, are a washout with 10ft east swells and onshore winds, all lumpy. No standouts.

So, the best surf is Monday morning, 27 July, for the glassy, clean conditions, and then Friday morning, 31 July, and Sunday morning, 02 August, for the solid, clean swells. Get out there while it’s good.

Rusty.

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