Drakes Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Drakes Estero's got cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks.

We're starting off pretty quiet, but there's some promise lurking further out. This spot is a beach/river mouth setup, exposed to the southwest, and it's a beginner-friendly zone. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday morning the 3rd of July. We've got a clean 2ft southwest groundswell rolling in, with a long 15-second period and a light southerly breeze. It's not big, but the energy is moderate (341) and the conditions look super clean. By Friday afternoon, that same swell bumps up a touch to 2ft, the period stretches to 16 seconds, and we get a cross-offshore wind from the WNW. Energy picks up nicely to 419, and the forecast is pointing to good surf. This is the standout session early on – small but clean and fun for the longboard or a foiling session.

Now, Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th? Forget it. We get a junky 4ft short-period WNW windswell on Saturday morning with onshore wind, and then it all drops back to small, weak stuff with poor surf conditions. That's a couple of write-off days.

Monday the 6th of July through to Thursday the 10th of July is a mixed bag. The swell stays small and mostly marginal, but the winds are consistently cross-offshore from the NW or WNW, which keeps the surface glassy. The best of that average period is Wednesday morning the 8th of July – we have a 3ft SW swell with a moderate energy reading (1325), and the conditions are clean. Not a head-high gem, but a workable wave if you're keen.

We then hit a real punchy patch. On Thursday the 9th of July, the swell jumps up. Morning sees 7ft from the WNW, but it's a short 8-second period, so it'll be lumpy and fat. The energy is strong (1005). By the afternoon, it's 8ft from the WNW, still short-period, with fresh NW winds. That's getting into expert-only territory – heavy, fast, and draining. Not beginner-friendly at all.

Friday the 10th of July is still solid but cleaner, with 6ft to 7ft WNW swell and moderate energy. Saturday the 11th drops a bit to 6ft to 7ft, but with a mix of cross and cross-off winds. By Sunday the 12th, it all falls apart again – poor conditions kick in and the swell plunges to 2ft with strong winds. The rest of the second week, from the 13th to the 18th of July, looks mostly poor to marginal, with small, short-period swell and strong cross-offshore winds making it choppy and unappealing.

The absolute best on offer is that small, clean window on Friday the 3rd of July. If you miss that, Wednesday morning the 8th of July gives a chance at some clean, playful waves. The bigger stuff later in the first week is for experienced surfers only and isn't really backed by good quality.

Rusty.

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