Ditch Plains Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, grab a coffee and settle in, because looking at the Ditch Plains forecast, it's a proper mixed bag. We've got some small windows of clean conditions, but honestly, for the next 16 days, the surf is mostly going to be a battle against the wind or just plain tiny. There's no real standout, fire day here, so let's break it down.

The water's sitting at 66°F, which is about 2°F cooler than normal for this time of year – so you'll want a decent wetsuit, it's a bit nippier than you'd expect.

First up, Friday the 3rd of July. The morning session is your best bet early doors: Ditch Plains is showing a small 2ft swell from the S, with a short 6-second period. The combined energy is weak (46), but the wind is a gentle cross-off from the W, keeping things clean. It's surfable, but very ordinary – think knee-high dribblers. The afternoon gets messy with a strong SW wind, so the morning is the only play.

Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th are pretty much a write-off. Tiny 1ft swell and onshore or cross-on winds. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th see a bit more size, but terrible wind. Tuesday morning hits 6ft from the ESE, which is moderate energy (243), but it's coming in with onshore wind and rain. That's more of a messy, blown-out wall than anything you'd want to be on. Tuesday afternoon is marginal with 5ft, but again, not clean.

We get a decent window on Thursday the 9th. The morning is glassy – dead calm with 2ft from the S. That's surfable, clean, but still only small. It'll be a fun little session on a log if you're keen, but don't expect much push. The energy is weak (55).

From there, it's a long stretch of poor conditions right through to the middle of the second week. The wind is relentless – mostly cross or cross-on from the S and SSW, gusting 16-25 mph. Swell sizes bounce between 2ft and 5ft, but it's all messy, choppy, and lumpy.

Even when we get a bit more size – like 5ft to 6ft on the 15th and 18th of July – the wind is a fresh cross-off or cross-shore, making it a chore. At 6ft that's getting too big for beginners, and with that short period (6-7 seconds) and strong cross-wind, it's really only for the die-hards.

The one glimmer comes on the morning of Thursday the 16th of July. It's clean with a cross-off from the W, and 4ft from the S with a moderate energy level (181). Still a short period (8 seconds), but with clean conditions, you'll get some fun, punchy little waves. That's probably the best you're going to get all period – but it's a one-morning deal before the wind swings back onshore in the afternoon.

Honestly, for a spot that's exposed like Ditch Plains, this run is typical when the trade winds or southerlies get on it. With this much wind and mostly poor quality, the setup looks more interesting for kiteboarding than paddle surfing on most days. There are no true standouts here – just a few fleeting moments of clean but small surf. Forecasts can always change, but as it sits, pick your moments carefully and keep your expectations low.

- Rusty

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