Dracula Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards.

Alright, so this stretch is a bit of a slow burn. We’ve got Dracula (a reef break) on the menu the whole way through, but don’t get too excited for the first week or so. The wind is a persistent bugger, coming mostly cross-shore from the NNW, and that’s messing with the surface. For the first ten days, we’re looking at lumpy, choppy afternoon sessions and only marginal or poor conditions overall. The combined swell energy sits in the moderate range (204 to 538) for that early period, so there’s some push, but it’s not cooperating with the wind. The swell itself is a short-period NNW windswell, around 5ft to 8ft, coming in at only 7 seconds – not much shape to get excited about.

Now, the water temp at Dracula is sitting at 70°, which is normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

But hold on. The forecast starts to get interesting from Tuesday the 21st of July. That Tuesday morning we get a window of glassy conditions – dead calm wind, zero from the north. The swell holds at 6ft, and the period ticks up to 8 seconds. A solid improvement for clean surfing, and the combined energy is moderate (397). This is a real standout for the period. Then Wednesday the 22nd morning is another glassy session, with a touch more energy (498). Two back-to-back mornings of clean waves – that’s the pick of the first half of the window.

Keep your eye on Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th of July as the next real highlight. The swell builds to 7ft on Friday morning and then 8ft on Saturday morning, still from the NNW. The period hangs at 8 seconds, so it’s not a groundswell but the energy is climbing – 699 and 978, which is moderate to strong (978). More importantly, the wind goes glassy on Friday morning, and then Saturday morning delivers a clean, cross-off breeze from the SSE. That’s prime Dracula conditions.

Then the big one. Sunday the 26th of July morning. That’s the standout of the entire outlook. Swell hits 10ft from the NNW, period at 8 seconds, and the combined swell energy is a very strong 1292. But the wind? Glassy. Absolutely still from the NNW. That’s excellent conditions for experienced surfers, and a massive session for those who can handle it. This is a true experts-only day with 10ft waves. Monday the 27th morning cleans up nicely too with a cross-off SSE breeze and 8ft swell (energy 933), so the weekend run is the main event.

The last few days of the month drop off. By the 30th and 31st the swell fades back under 7ft, and the afternoon winds pick up again, making it rough. Not worth chasing.

So, to sum it up: The first week is a write-off for quality unless you’re desperate. The story is the string of mornings starting Tuesday the 21st through Monday the 27th. The absolute best on offer is Sunday the 26th of July morning at Dracula – glassy, 10ft, strong energy, and for experts only. Saturday the 25th morning and Friday the 24th morning are also very clean and solid. Get in early, as the afternoons get blown out.

Rusty.

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