Devonport Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, grab a coffee and settle in, ‘cause I’ve got the full 16-day picture for you. This is a tough stretch, no two ways about it. The next week and a half is mostly a write-off for any decent paddle surfing, but there’s a real glimmer of hope right at the very end that’s worth waiting for.

Alright, let’s start with now. The first week is pretty grim. We’ve got a big, messy swell from the NNW showing up on Tuesday the 28th of July, pushing 10 feet with a short, weak 8-second period. The wind is howling from the NNW at 25 mph, making it a cross-onshore mess. The combined energy is a hefty 1196 (moderate to strong), but it’s all for nothing—the conditions are just poor. It’s a stormy, lumpy scene. That afternoon is a little less powerful but still messy with a cross-shore wind, so don’t bother.

Wednesday the 29th of July sees the swell drop to a tiny 3 feet, but the wind swings to a light WSW cross-offshore. The period stretches out to a very long 17 seconds, which is usually a good sign. The water is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there. The problem is the size; it’s just too small to get excited about. The energy is at 564 (moderate), but it’s a tease. That clean, glassy look on the water is nice, but the waves are barely there.

From Thursday the 30th of July all the way through to the morning of Sunday the 2nd of August, it’s flat. We’re talking 0.3 feet to 1 foot swell with next to no energy—the readings are all in the single digits or low teens. The wind is light, sometimes glassy, so the water looks beautiful, but it’s a lake. You’d have a better time on a paddleboard than a surfboard.

Then on Sunday the 2nd of August afternoon, a little bump of 7 feet appears from the NW, but with a short, weak 6-second period. The wind is WSW at 16 mph, cross-off, which makes it clean, but the energy is 331 (moderate). It’s a “marginal” call and honestly, it’s lumpy and short-period. A kite surfer might get a grin out of it, but for a regular surfer, it’s a pass.

The next week tries to deliver a little more. Monday the 3rd of August morning has a clean 3 feet wave with light offshore winds from the S, but the period is still a short 6 seconds. The energy is a weak 116. It’s “surfable but very ordinary” – that’s the truth. We then fall back into a flat spell from Tuesday the 4th of August through to Saturday the 8th of August. Days of 0.3 feet to 1 foot swells, with a bit of a bump on Saturday afternoon of 5 feet from the NNW, but it’s short-period (6 seconds) and cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and messy. Not worth it.

Now, here’s the standout. Hang tight for Monday the 10th of August. The morning brings a solid 10 feet NW swell, but it’s cross-shore with a moderate breeze and a cross-chop. It’s a “marginal” call. But the real gold is on Tuesday the 11th of August. The morning session is the one to circle on your calendar. The swell is forecast to be 12 feet from the NW, with a period of 10 seconds. The wind is light from the W at 9 mph, which is a clean cross-offshore. The combined energy is a massive 2262 (very strong). This is a proper, powerful groundswell hitting the point. Devonport Rivermouth is the spot, and this is ideal for its setup. The only catch—and it’s a big one—is that 12 feet is expert territory. Combined with a very long period and a point/river break, it will be a fast, bowling wall. It’s going to be a session for the experienced crew only. The water is still about average for the time of year. This is the best on offer by a long shot.

Wednesday the 12th of August morning cleans up with a 3 feet NW swell and a very long 16-second period, with light offshore winds from the SSW. The energy is a solid 634 (moderate). It’s a clean, fun-sized wave, but after the 12-foot beast the day before, it’s a nice letdown.

So, overall, the first week is a total dud. The second week is mostly flat or ordinary, except for that one big, powerful morning on Tuesday the 11th of August. If you’re an expert with a big wave board, that’s your window. For everyone else? Keep the wax in the cupboard until then.

Stay patient,
Rusty

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