Conto Springs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. I’ve been looking over the forecast for Conto Springs, and I’ll be honest – the next couple of weeks are a real rollercoaster. There’s plenty of swell coming, but the wind is going to be the main obstacle, and most of the time it’s making things a mess. The water is sitting at about 67.5°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick wetsuit right away.

The first real option doesn’t show up until Thursday, 16 July. The morning has a solid 11.5ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period. The energy is pumping at 4997, which is strong. The wind is light and cross-shore from the SW at 6 mph, so it’ll be a bit crossed up but still surfable. The break is a reef, so that long-period swell will give you some shape, but it’s not ideal wind. It’s a marginal call, but with a score of 4/10, it’s the first option. The afternoon drops to 9.8ft with the same light cross-shore wind, but it’s cloudy and the energy eases to 3122. Still, it’s the best we’ve got early on.

Friday the 17th is a total write-off. The wind goes offshore from the WNW at 12 mph in the morning, but the swell drops to 6.6ft and the period shortens to 12 seconds, and the wave comment says “poor surf conditions.” The afternoon gets worse with a cross-onshore chop. Don’t bother.

Saturday the 18th is a massive but messy day. We’re looking at a huge 16.4ft SW swell at 17 seconds in the morning, with energy at a whopping 14735 – that’s a serious amount of water moving. But the wind is a brutal cross-onshore from the W at 25 mph. It’s strong, messy, and blown out. The afternoon drops to 14.8ft but still cross-onshore. This is a day for experts only, and even then, it’s a battle. Honestly, for paddle surfing, it’s a no-go. If you’ve got a kite, this setup is more interesting – strong wind, big swell, and a beach-and-reef profile.

Sunday the 19th is a bit of a reprieve. The swell settles to 9.8ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the SW at 16 mph in the morning, easing to a gentle cross-shore in the afternoon. The energy is still strong at 4105 in the morning and 3284 in the afternoon. It’s marginal, but with a 3-4/10 score, it’s the best of a rough patch. The cross-shore makes for a bit of a lumpy ride, but at least it’s not blown out.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are back to poor conditions. Monday has strong onshore winds and messy surf, while Tuesday sees a 13.1ft SW swell at 15 seconds but with a moderate cross-onshore wind. It’s choppy and just not worth it.

Now, here’s the standout. Wednesday, 22 July is the day to circle. The morning has a 13.1ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and the wind is a gentle cross-shore from the SW at 9 mph. The energy is 8064 – that’s strong, powerful groundswell. The wave comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” but the score is an 8/10. For this reef, that long period will create some proper waves, and the light wind means it’ll be clean. This is the best session on offer. The afternoon is still good at 14.8ft but the wind goes cross-onshore, dropping the score to 6/10. If you can get out in the morning, you’ll be rewarded.

After that, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions. Thursday the 23rd has a 13.1ft SW swell but the wind is offshore from the NW, which is onshore for Conto Springs, so it’s a mess. Friday the 24th has an 8.2ft swell but the wind is cross-onshore and the score is a 2/10. It’s not worth paddling out.

Saturday the 25th to Tuesday the 28th is a rough run. The swell drops to 5.9ft to 7.9ft, but the wind is fresh to strong and cross-onshore or onshore. The energy drops to below 2000 for most of it, and the scores are 0-1/10. It’s a barren stretch for paddle surfing.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th see a resurgence of big swell – 13.1ft on the 30th with a 17-second period and energy at 8011 – but the wind is a near gale or strong breeze from the W or NW. It’s blown

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