Derrs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. This forecast is all about one spot: Derrs.

We’ve got a run of surf on the way, but it’s a mixed bag. The overall pattern starts a bit rough, builds into some real power, and then fades away. The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is about 1.4° cooler than normal for this time of year – nothing wild, just a touch on the fresh side.

Thursday 16 July kicks things off, but it’s ugly. A 6.2ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period is pushing in, but with a 30 km/h cross-shore wind and rain, it’s choppy and messy. You’d be battling more than riding. Don’t bother.

Friday 17 July morning is where it starts to turn. The swell drops a touch to 5.6ft from the WSW, but the wind swings light cross-offshore. The wave energy is still strong at 1069, and the description says clean. This is the first decent window, and for experienced surfers, it’ll be fun.

Saturday 18 July brings the big stuff. By the afternoon, we’re looking at a solid 13.1ft swell from the WSW with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is enormous at 7127. This is serious groundswell – way too big for beginners, and it’ll be slamming in. The wind swings onshore from the west though, so it won’t be pristine. Only for the brave.

Sunday 19 July – still plenty of size, 8.2ft in the morning from the same direction, but a light cross-wind keeps it from being perfect. It’s a bit of a washout for quality.

Now, here’s a standout. Monday 20 July morning – the wind drops to glassy. Absolutely glassy. A 5.6ft swell from the WSW at 13 seconds, clean as a whistle. The energy is moderate at 914, but for the conditions, this is the pick of the first week. Smooth, clean lines, just you and the ocean.

The middle of the week, Wednesday 22 July morning, also looks clean with a cross-offshore breeze and 6.2ft swell. Good for a paddle.

After that, the swell fades. Thursday 23 July through to Sunday 26 July sees the swell drop to 3.3ft or less. The wind stays clean, sometimes offshore, but the wave energy falls into the 200-600 range. It’s small but workable for a longboard. Sunday 26 July afternoon is a notable mention with a 3.0ft swell but a 15-second period and light offshore wind – glassy and clean, a real treat for a small-wave session.

Monday 27 July and Tuesday 28 July stay small, around 3.3-4.6ft, clean but not punchy.

Then we get a late flash. Wednesday 29 July morning – glassy again, with a 3.9ft swell that has a very long 18-second period. The energy jumps back up to 1188. This is a groundswell, perfect for Derrs’ reef break, offering long, peeling lines. This is the other standout.

Thursday 30 July gets messy with rain and cross-shore winds, and the swell bumps up to 7.5ft. Not the best.

But the grand finale is Friday 31 July morning. An 8.2ft swell from the WSW with a 16-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and a massive wave energy of 3777. This is expert territory, but for those who can handle it, it will be a session to remember. The afternoon stays big but gets choppy.

So, bottom line: The absolute best windows are Monday 20 July morning for the glassy, clean 5.6ft waves, and Wednesday 29 July morning for the long-period groundswell in glassy conditions. Friday 31 July morning is the one for the big-wave crew. For the rest, it’s a game of picking the clean windows as the swell fades.

Catch you out there.

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