Cowries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the Cowries stretch over the next few weeks.

Alright, so we're looking at a bit of a slow start here. The first few days are a write-off, with barely a ripple. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th are flat, maybe a knee-high bump but nothing worth paddling out for. The wind is all over the place, and the energy is just not there. Then Wednesday the 29th is even smaller, with a swell period of 13 seconds but the height is a measly 0.3 feet. That's a lake, not an ocean. You'll be waiting until Thursday the 30th for anything real.

Now, Thursday morning the 30th is where it finally kicks off. A solid S swell rolls in at 7 feet with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at a strong 1097. The wind is light offshore from the WSW, so the lineup at Cowries (reef and point) is going to be clean and glassy. This is the pick of the first week. It's a bit chunky at that size, over 5 feet, so it's not for the grommets, but for the rest of us, it's a proper session. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Friday the 31st holds in with a 5-foot S swell, but the wind swings to a cross-off, so it's still clean but not as perfect as the day before. The energy drops to 502, which is still moderate. Saturday the 1st of August fades a bit with 4-foot surf, and the wind is light, but it's just ordinary. Sunday the 2nd turns ugly with strong onshore winds, so give it a miss.

There's a bit of a lull here through Monday and Tuesday before the next pulse. Then Tuesday the 4th of August looks like another ripper. A 7-foot S swell, same spot, with a clean offshore wind from the WSW. The combined energy jumps right back up to 1295, which is strong. The morning looks perfect, with the wind dropping a bit in the afternoon. That's a solid two days of good surf, with the 4th being the standout of that run.

The second week gets a bit mixed. Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th keep some size, around 6 feet to 7 feet, but the wind gets stronger and more cross-off, making it a bit tricky. The swell quality is decent, but the wind is the enemy.

Then, the real gem of the whole forecast is Saturday the 8th of August. It's a bit further out, so treat it as promising, but the numbers are insane. A 7-foot SSE groundswell with a very long 12-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1355. But the best part? The wind is completely dead – glassy conditions. That's a rare treat for a reef and point break like Cowries. The swell direction (SSE) is not exactly the optimum NE direction, but when it's that clean and that powerful, you don't turn your nose up at it. This one is for the experienced crew, because over 8 feet it's expert territory, but at 7 feet, it's a ripping, challenging day. The long period means the sets will be fat and lined up, perfect for the point.

After that, the 9th and 10th drop off again, and the 11th has a clean offshore wind but only 3 feet of swell, so it's a small, clean end to the run.

The Bottom Line: The first week is a dud until Thursday the 30th. That's your first real session. The true standout is Saturday the 8th of August, with a glassy, powerful groundswell. Mark it in your calendar, but keep an eye on the forecast as it gets closer.

- Rusty

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