Cowries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the Cowries stretch over the next couple of weeks. This is a reef and point setup, fairly exposed to the swell, and it’s an ENE optimum direction. The water’s runnin’ a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sittin’ at 66°, so that’s a nice little bonus.

We’ve got a bit of a gap to start, with no real surf on offer until this Saturday morning, July 25th. That first session is a highlight though. Saturday morning brings a clean 5 ft S swell, period 11 seconds, with a light cross-off breeze from the W at 6 mph. The wave energy is moderate (449), and the water’s a touch warmer than average. It’s a clean, glassy mornin’ – perfect for a beginner-friendly paddle at Cowries. The swell direction is S, but the optimum is ENE, so it’s not the perfect angle, but the conditions are so good it’ll still be a fun wave. Crowds can pop up there sometimes, but it’s worth it.

Saturday afternoon goes glassy with a 4 ft S swell, lower energy (279), but still clean. Sunday morning, the 26th, is another cracker with a 6 ft S swell, period 11 seconds, and a light offshore from the SW at 3 mph. The energy is strong (660), and it’s clean again. For a beginner, 6 ft is gettin’ up there, but it’s still manageable. The swell direction is S, again not the optimum, but the offshore wind makes it clean.

Sunday afternoon turns a bit cross-on, and the swell drops to 5 ft, only marginal. Then we hit a dry spell from Monday, the 27th, through to Wednesday, the 29th – the swell dips to tiny, weak stuff, poxy energy, and the wind’s all over the shop. Not worth paddlin’ out.

Thursday morning, the 30th, sees a big jump in energy (1543 – strong) with a 8 ft S swell, period 9 seconds. That’s big for beginners and only for the more experienced crew. The wind is cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph, keepin’ it clean, but the swell is a bit raw. The period is short, so the waves might be a bit lumpy. Thursday afternoon and Friday are still cross-off, with 5 ft to 6 ft, but the energy is lower and conditions are only marginal.

The first week of August starts quiet, with Saturday morning, the 1st, glassy but tiny at 3 ft. Then from the 2nd to the 4th, it’s all small, weak swell and average conditions. Then, on Wednesday morning, August 5th, we get a standout. A 7 ft SE swell, period 12 seconds, with an offshore wind from the W at 3 mph. The energy is massive (1494) – strong. This is a long period groundswell, and for a reef and point like Cowries, that’s a dream. The swell direction is SE, which is closer to the optimum ENE. This is a clean, powerful, long-period swell – only for the experts at this size, but it’s a ripper. The afternoon goes cross-on, so grab the morning.

The 6th and 7th have good clean mornings with 4 ft to 5 ft SE swells, light winds, and moderate energy. Then on Saturday, the 8th, it’s a big 10 ft SSE swell, period 8 seconds – that’s huge, short period, and only for the brave. The energy is 1080, strong, but the wind is cross-shore, makin’ it messy. Sunday morning, the 9th, is a beauty though: 7 ft SSE swell, period 10 seconds, with a light cross-off from the WNW. The energy is 1001, strong, and the waves are clean. This is a solid, high-quality option for the experienced crew.

The absolute best on offer is that Wednesday morning, August 5th, with the long period groundswell and offshore wind – that’s the one to circle. The Sunday morning, the 9th, is a close second. For the beginners, stick to Saturday morning, July 25th, and Sunday morning, the 26th, before it gets too big.

Rusty

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