Cowries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next stretch. We are focusing on Cowries, a reef and point set up that’s fairly exposed to swell and works best when the groundswell is coming from the ENE.

The story starts slow, but there’s a real standout coming. The first few days are pretty grim. Thursday and Friday, 16th and 17th of July, are write-offs. We’ve got small, short-period windswell and cross-off breezes that just aren't putting anything decent together – the combined energy is down around 21 to 395, which is weak to moderate but the quality just isn’t there.

Saturday the 18th stays ordinary, with a tiny bump of easterly swell but cross-shore winds keeping things messy. Then we hit the good stuff. Sunday the 19th of July is the one to circle. That morning the swell pushes up to 5 ft from the ENE with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits 673 – that’s proper moderate to strong energy. The wind goes glassy in the afternoon with a light ESE breeze, so you’re looking at clean, lined-up waves. This is a beginner-friendly break, and with that size and direction, it’s going to be fun for everyone. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

Monday the 20th is a step down with cross-shore wind and a drop in quality. But Tuesday the 21st of July morning pulls a surprise: dead calm, glassy conditions, and a solid 4 ft of long-period ENE swell (10 seconds). Combined energy is 322 – moderate – and with no wind, it’ll be smooth. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so expect company if it’s looking that clean.

After that, the surf fades into the background. Wednesday the 22nd through Friday the 24th serve up small, waist-high waves with light winds, but nothing special – just ordinary conditions. By the 25th, a new southerly windswell tries to build, but the winds are strong and cross-off, so it’s messy and marginal, not worth paddling out for.

The last week, from the 26th of July right through to the 31st, is a stretch of tiny, poor surf. There are days with glassy conditions but the swell is barely a ripple – 0.7 ft to 2 ft – and the energy never gets above 113. The one oddity is a long-period swell (14 to 17 seconds) from the SSE on the 28th and 29th, but it’s tiny and cross-onshore winds trash it. For a beginner spot like Cowries, that kind of period on a beach/reef mix can make waves break too straight, so it’s no loss.

So, the pick of the lot: Sunday the 19th of July is the true standout with clean, chest-high surf and glassy conditions. Tuesday the 21st morning is a close second if you want it even cleaner but a touch smaller. After that, the surf goes quiet for nearly a week, so make the most of those two days.

Rusty.

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