Downtowns Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way for Downtowns, a reef break that’s fairly exposed and handles a SSW swell best. The water’s sitting at 80°, which is bang on average for the time of year – nothing weird there.

The pattern kicks off Monday the 3rd of August with a clean 6ft SSW swell pushing in. Morning’s a bit cross with a light S breeze, nothing too nasty, but the afternoon is where it’s at – glassy conditions with an E wind at 6 mph. That’s clean face, solid energy (1363 combined energy) and a 15-second period giving it proper grunt. This is a good one for experienced surfers.

Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th keep the consistency going. Tuesday is glassy all day with 5ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and light SE winds – smooth as. Wednesday afternoon cleans up nicely with a cross-off breeze and the swell shifting a touch more SW, combined energy hitting 1516. Thursday the 6th is a standout: 7ft SSW swell jumping to 7ft by the arvo, with a very long 17-second period in the morning. Glassy early, then offshore winds – this is quality, powerful surf, but at 7ft+ it’s getting into expert territory.

Friday the 7th is the pick of the first week. 8ft to 8ft SSW swell, 16 to 17-second period, and glassy winds all day. Combined energy is massive at 3444 in the afternoon. This is a serious groundswell – long period that will wrap nicely into the reef, but it’s big, so only for the skilled crew. Crowds are possible here sometimes, but with this size, only the keen will be out.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th see the swell ease slightly to 7ft to 8ft, but still with clean conditions. Sunday arvo has a bit more breeze at 9 mph, but it’s cross-off, so still rideable. Monday the 10th has a jump back to 8ft SSW swell with an 18-second period, but the wind is cross and a bit stronger at 9 mph, making it a bit messy. Combined energy is 3972, but the quality drops.

Tuesday the 11th afternoon is another moment: 8ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and cross-off winds – combined energy 4126. That’s a lot of power, but it’s clean. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th settle back to 5ft to 6ft, glassy mornings and offshore afternoons. Good, solid, consistent surf.

Friday the 14th brings a weird one: a 4ft SSW swell with a 24-second period – that’s an incredibly long groundswell. Combined energy is 2669, so there’s still punch, but that period will make it break straight at a beach break. At a reef like Downtowns, it should line up nicely, but the wind picks up to 12 mph in the afternoon, so morning is your best bet.

Saturday the 15th is huge: 8ft SSW swell, 18-second period, combined energy 5290. But the wind is a solid 12 to 16 mph cross-off. That’s a lot of wind for a reef break – it’ll be blown out, and honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The last few days, Sunday the 16th through Tuesday the 18th, taper off: 7ft down to 4ft, but the winds stay clean or cross-off. Monday the 17th arvo is a nice clean 6ft with a light SE breeze.

The standout is Friday the 7th of August – that 8ft glassy day with the long-period SSW groundswell is the best on offer. Big, clean, powerful. Honourable mention to Thursday the 6th for the morning glass and 7ft. If you’re after smaller, easier waves, Tuesday the 4th and Thursday the 13th are your friendly, clean options.

Rusty.

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