Desperations Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Desperations. It’s a reef break that’s exposed to the SSW swell, and it’s been pretty consistent over the years. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The outlook starts on Sunday the 12th of July, but honestly, it’s a rough start. The first couple of days are a write-off. We’ve got a solid 6ft SSW swell on Sunday morning with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 1461, but it’s cross-shore wind and they’re calling it “marginal” at best. Sunday afternoon gets worse. Monday the 13th is no better – a 3ft swell with a super long 18-second period, but that cross-shore wind just chops it up. Tuesday the 14th is a total loss too. So we’re looking at a gap of a few days with nothing worth paddling out for.

Then we get a glimmer on Thursday the 16th. The morning session is a 6ft SE swell, but it’s only 8 seconds and cross-offshore, which is clean. The real standout, though, is Thursday afternoon. The wind drops to zero – glassy – and a 2ft SW groundswell rolls in with a 20-second period. The energy is 676, which is moderate, but that glassy surface and that long-period groundswell make it look really special. The optimum swell direction for Desperations is SSW, so this SW swell is a perfect match. It’s a reef break, so that long period will wrap in nicely. Keep an eye on the tide, but this could be a real gem.

Friday the 17th morning is still a bit messy with cross-shore wind, but Friday afternoon shapes up as a second highlight. A 4ft SW swell, 15-second period, and light east wind blowing cross-offshore. That’s clean. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, but on a weekday, you might get lucky.

Saturday the 18th is another good one. Morning has a 3ft SSW swell at 16 seconds with light cross-offshore wind – clean. Then Saturday afternoon, the wind swings to a nice NNE offshore, moderate breeze, and the same 3ft SW swell. That’s a sweet setup. The energy is still moderate around 675, but the quality is there.

After that, things drop off. Sunday the 19th has a small 2ft swell with fresh offshore wind, but it’s light rain and a risk of thunderstorms, so it’s a bit sketchy. From Monday the 20th onwards, it’s a long run of poor surf with cross-onshore wind and lumpy conditions. The swell gets small and the wind stays wrong right through to the end of the outlook on Monday the 27th of July. That last day has a 4ft SSW swell with 18-second period and 1000 energy, but it’s fresh cross-onshore and lumpy – not worth it.

So, if you’ve got a window, Thursday the 16th afternoon is the absolute best on offer: glassy, clean, long-period groundswell. Friday afternoon and Saturday are solid backups. The rest of the outlook is a bit of a washout, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Keep an eye on the forecasts, though.

Rusty.

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