Douglas Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks. It’s a proper ride, so strap in.

We’ve got a long-range outlook that starts with a bang, but don’t get too excited about the next few days just yet. The real standout is a monster swell that’s going to light up the reef, but you’ll have to be patient. The first week has some solid waves, but it’s the following week where the magic happens.

Kicking things off on Friday the 17th of July, we’re straight into it with a solid Southwest groundswell hammering Douglas Point (Northern Territory). Friday morning sees a clean 12 ft swell with a long 16-second period and a light offshore breeze. The energy is pumping, so this is expert territory. It’s big, powerful, and will be a freight train. If you’re not on your game, sit this one out. The afternoon drops a little to 10 ft, but it’s still a clean, cross-off wind, so it’s a solid wave for experienced surfers.

Saturday the 18th drops a notch to 8 ft in the morning, still with clean offshore winds. The swell has shifted a touch to the West-Southwest, and the period is still a meaty 14 seconds. This is a better size for the strong intermediate crowd, but don’t expect it to be a walk in the park. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 7 ft, but still a clean wave.

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are the first of the “moderate” days. The swell hangs around the 5 ft to 5 ft mark, but it’s backed by a consistent offshore flow. The wind is a moderate breeze, so it’s a bit bumpy, but the waves are there. It’s a good day for a longboarder who wants some clean but lumpy walls.

Tuesday the 21st brings a pulse back up. We’re looking at 10 ft in the morning, 8 ft in the afternoon, with a strong offshore wind. This is a proper session for the experienced crew, but the wind will be a bit fresh.

Now, Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a washout. The wind goes nasty on Wednesday afternoon with a 19 mph cross-shore, and Thursday is a total mess with onshore winds of 25–28 mph and 13 ft of wind-chop. You’d be a fool to paddle out. The kite surfers might be loving it, but for us, it’s a hard pass.

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th get a bit of a reprieve with a 13 ft to 15 ft Southwest swell, but the wind is cross or onshore. It’s lumpy and messy. Not worth a paddle unless you’re desperate.

Now, here’s the standout. Sunday the 27th of July? Actually, forget that. The real gold is Thursday the 30th of July. The morning is the pick of the entire forecast. We’re looking at a 16 ft solid Southwest swell with a 16-second period, and the wind is a perfect glassy offshore from the North. The energy is absolutely massive. This is a world-class event for experts only. If you have the skills and the nerve, this is a once-in-a-forecast session. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

The following Friday the 31st is still solid at 12 ft, but the wind goes cross-onshore, so it’s a bit choppy. Worth a look if you missed the big day.

The final day, Saturday the 1st of August, sees a smaller, longer period groundswell at 4 ft with a 19-second period, but the wind is a clean cross-off. It’s a weak wave for the reef, but it might be the only clean option for a beginner.

So, to wrap it up: the first week has some solid, clean waves for the experienced. The second week has a massive, promising swell on the 30th that is the absolute best of the run. It’s a long way out, so it’s less certain, but if it holds, it’s a day to remember. The rest of the second week is mostly messy or onshore.

Rusty.

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