Duckpool Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watchin’ this stretch of coast all week. I gotta be straight with you – for the first half of this forecast, it’s a quiet one. We’re lookin’ at a solid gap of about nine days where there’s just nothin’ worth paddlin’ out for at Duckpool Bay. The swell is tiny, barely a ripple, with a few weak pulses that won’t even get you out of first gear. The wind is mostly messy, cross or cross-on, and even when it’s clean, there’s no push. It’s a bit of a drought, but it won’t stay this way forever; forecasts can shift.

Now, if you’re patient, there’s a glimmer on Sunday, July 26th, in the morning. It’s not a standout, but it’s the first sign of life. You’re lookin’ at a clean 3 ft swell from the west, with a light easterly cross-offshore breeze keepin’ the surface tidy. The wave energy is weak though, only 64 (moderate energy), and the swell period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s gonna be a bit weak and crumbly. This is more for the keen who just want to get wet. The water temp is about 64°F, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so you might not need a thick suit.

The real – and I mean *only* – standout comes later in the second week. Keep your eyes on Wednesday, July 29th, in the afternoon. The swell jumps up to 12 ft from the west, with a period of 9 seconds. That’s a solid groundswell, but listen up: this is a big one. The combined energy hits 2198 (very strong wave energy), and it’s too big for beginners. It’s expert-only territory. The wind is a moderate cross-on from the northwest, so it’ll be a bit choppy, but the raw power is there. The break is exposed to west swell, and the optimum direction is west, so it’s lined up well. Just be warned – it’s an inconsistent break, so you’ll have to wait for the sets, and crowds are possible. This is the one to circle on your calendar.

Thursday, July 30th keeps the energy going. Morning sees a 13 ft swell from the west-northwest, with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the northeast. The energy is massive at 2808 (very strong wave energy). Again, this is only for the experienced. The afternoon holds 12 ft from the same direction, still clean. It’s powerful, but these big swells with a short period (9 seconds) can be a bit straight and fast on a beach break. For a point break or reef, it’d be dreamy, but here at Duckpool, it’s raw and heavy.

By Friday, July 31st, in the morning, the swell drops to 7 ft from the west-northwest, with a clean cross-offshore breeze. The energy is 456 (strong), and it’s more manageable. This is the best window for strong intermediates who can handle a bit of size. The afternoon sees 6 ft, still clean, but it’s marginal.

If the wind stays onshore and the swell gets this big, it might be a better day for the kite crew than us paddle surfers, especially with the cross-chop. But for those few days, if you’re game and you’ve got the skills, that’s your window.

Be patient, and keep an eye on the sky. The surf will come.

Rusty.

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