Cowries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Cowries over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, the run-up is a bit of a slow burner. Nothing truly firing until the first few days of August. The water temperature sits at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a bit more tropical than we’re used to, but not a shock.

We kick off on Friday, 24 July, with a clean, light offshored 4ft south swell. The combined energy is weak (232), so it’s small and pretty ordinary. Saturday morning, 25 July, is a nice step up: 5ft of south swell with a cross-offshore breeze, still moderate energy (450), and the afternoon goes glassy at 4ft (269). That’s clean, but don’t expect to get worked. Sunday morning, 26 July, repeats the pattern: 5ft south swell, offshores, moderate energy (473). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Then we hit a dead patch. From Monday, 27 July, right through to the end of the month, the swell drops right off. Monday morning is 3ft and glassy, but the energy is weak (189). By Tuesday it’s knee-high dribble, 2ft, and Wednesday sees a lumpy 5ft “south” swell that’s actually a short-period windswell – poor quality. Thursday and Friday stay small and messy. That’s a solid four-day gap with barely anything worth paddling out for.

Saturday, 1 August, is still tiny – 2ft – but then Sunday, 2 August, is where things get wild. The models are pointing to a massive 13ft south swell, with very strong energy (4564). That’s too big for this break, plain and simple. Unless you’re a pro with a death wish, give it a miss – it’s more of a kitesurfing day. Monday, 3 August, drops back to 7ft south-southeast, with clean offshore winds and moderate energy (766). That would be a solid day for experienced surfers, but the morning is the pick.

The real standout, though, is the end of the window. Thursday, 6 August afternoon, delivers a 5ft south-southeast groundswell with a very long 14-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1281). The wind is cross-offshore and clean. This is a classic reef-and-point setup, so that long-period swell will wrap in beautifully and offer proper shaped waves. Then Friday, 7 August morning, is the best of the whole forecast: 7ft from the east-southeast, an even longer 13-second period, and that energy is pumping (1480). The wind is a light cross-offshore, almost glassy. This is excellent, powerful surf, but at 7ft it’s for experienced surfers only. The break can get crowded sometimes, so get in early.

The following Saturday, 8 August, is still fun: 4ft with glassy conditions and moderate energy (374), a mellow end to the run.

If you’re chasing the best, aim for Thursday 6 August afternoon and Friday 7 August morning. The earlier stuff is only worth a paddle if you’re desperate. The long gap mid-week is normal for this area – it’s not a consistent powerhouse, but when it does turn on, it’s worth the wait.

Rusty.

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