Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu at Emerald Beach.

Right now, we’ve got a flat spell. The first week is pretty much a write-off for any proper surf. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th offer tiny, weak dribbles, not worth paddling out for. Wednesday the 15th through Thursday the 16th stay tiny with strong offshore winds, so there's clean water but nothing to ride. The wait continues through Friday the 17th, though we start to see a pulse of energy late in the day, but it’s messy.

The real story starts Friday afternoon, July 17th. That southeast swell builds quick, jumping to 8ft by the afternoon, but the period is short at 7 seconds. That means lumpy, crumbly waves, and it’s big enough that beginners should sit this one out. The combined energy is strong (555). Winds are cross-offshore from the SSE, keeping it relatively clean.

Saturday morning July 18th sees similar conditions: 8ft of short-period SE swell (590 combined energy). Still cross-offshore winds, still clean. This is for experienced surfers only—it’s going to be a bit of a washing machine with that short period.

Sunday July 19th is where things get interesting. Morning shows 8ft from the ESE, with period stretching to 9 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1016. This is a standout. The swell direction (ESE) is slightly better for the point setup at Emerald Beach, which likes NE as optimum, but this is still a powerful, long-range groundswell. Winds remain cross-offshore from the SSE, so expect clean, solid lines. Keep in mind, at 8ft, this is expert territory only. It’s also a Sunday, so crowds are likely—Em gets busy.

Monday July 20th offers the best of the window. Morning sees 7ft of E swell at 10 seconds with clean, gentle offshore SSW wind. The combined energy is 970, so plenty of push. This wave quality is promising for the point. Still a big swell, so not for the faint-hearted, but the conditions are excellent.

From Tuesday the 21st onwards, the swell slowly drops through the 5ft to 3ft range, with periods holding around 9-11 seconds. Winds stay favorable, with some glassy mornings particularly on Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th. That Friday morning July 24th is a real gem: 4ft of ENE swell, 10 seconds, and absolutely glassy with no wind. Perfect for a longboard or a step-down board. Clean, uncrowded potential if you get in early.

The combined energy for that Friday morning is 266, moderate but fun. The swell direction is ENE, which is closer to the NE optimum, so the point should link up nicely.

Rounding it out, Saturday the 25th sees onshore breezes, so choppier, then it fades through Sunday and Monday the 27th, dropping back to tiny, clean but small leftovers by Tuesday the 28th.

So, the two standouts: Sunday July 19th for the big, powerful groundswell for experts, and Friday morning July 24th for the small, glassy, head-high fun waves for everyone else.

Water temperature is around average for July, not unusually warm or cold.

Stay stoked, but pick your moments.

- Rusty

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