Cobden Beach - The Channel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, checking in with the local outlook for Cobden Beach - The Channel. We’ve got a 16-day window of surf to look at, and while the first few days are a bit of a slow burn, there’s some serious size on the horizon. Let’s get into it.

The water is sitting at 55°, which is pretty much bang on average for the time of year – nothing unusual there.

We kick off on Tuesday the 21st with a small, clean little swell. The Channel is picking up 3ft of swell from the WSW at a nice 12-second period. With glassy conditions and light SW winds, it’s going to be a fun, easy paddle for beginners. The combined energy is low at 305, so you’re not getting a lot of push, but it'll be a nice session.

Wednesday morning the 22nd holds the same size, 3ft from the WSW, with a 10-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the E, keeping the surface clean. The energy is even weaker at 228, so it’s still a mellow wave. Good for getting the rust off. Wednesday afternoon the swell shifts to 4ft from the W with a 10-second period, but the wind goes cross-shore, making it a bit jumbled. The energy picks up to 377, but the quality drops.

Thursday the 23rd through the weekend sees the swell building. Thursday morning has 5ft from the WSW with a long 13-second period, and the energy is getting solid at 707. The wind is cross-shore from the NE though, so it’s going to be a bit bumpy. By Friday the 24th, we’re looking at 6ft and 7ft from the NW, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds, and the wind is a messy cross-onshore. The energy is 946 and 1158, but the quality is poor. It’s not looking like a great paddle.

The real standout window is the weekend of the 26th and 27th. Sunday the 26th afternoon is a beauty. The swell is 6ft from the W with a long 13-second period, and the wind goes offshore from the SE at 6 mph. The energy is 1144, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is your best bet for a clean, solid session. Monday the 27th morning is also a good call with 5ft from the W and a 12-second period, with cross-offshore winds from the ESE keeping the surface clean. The energy is 617, and it’s set to be a very good session.

After that, late July into early August, the swell gets big. Really big. From the 30th of July through to the 3rd of August, we’re looking at consistently solid 7ft to 15ft swells from the W and NW. The energy readings are massive – 2827, 4000, 5025 – this is serious power. The wind is often offshore or glassy, but the size is going to be too much for anyone but the most experienced crew. For the average surfer, this is a spectator sport. The cleanest of these big days is likely Friday the 31st of July afternoon, with 7ft of W swell at 14 seconds and glassy conditions. The energy is 1606, and it’s an excellent condition for the experts.

The last few days of the forecast, the 4th and 5th of August, the swell drops back down to a more manageable 3ft to 4ft from the W, but the period is short and the wind turns onshore on the 5th, making it a poor call.

So, to wrap it up: the absolute best on offer is Sunday the 26th of July afternoon. Get on it. The Monday morning the 27th is a close second. The big stuff from the 30th to the 3rd is for the chargers only.

Rusty.

Read more