Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and we’ve got a bit of a flat spell to kick things off at Emerald Beach. This point break is exposed to the swell, but for the first week and a half, it’s looking pretty ordinary – tiny waves and not much energy to get excited about. The water temp is sitting around 67°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

We start on Thursday 30 July, but honestly, there’s no surf worth mentioning. The swell is tiny – we’re talking 1ft from the NE with a short period around 6 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (13). The wind is offshore and clean, but with waves that small, you’re not getting wet for anything decent. Friday 31 July and Saturday 1 August are much the same story: small 1-1ft swell, weak energy (10-27), and offshore breezes that keep it clean but empty. Sunday 2 August is more of the same – 0.7-1ft, period around 7-8 seconds, no power.

Monday 3 August brings a spike in wave energy mid-afternoon – 5ft from the SE with a period of 10 seconds and combined energy hitting 408 (moderate wave energy). But the wind turns onshore from the NE at 12 mph, so it’s messy and blown out. Not a goer for surfing, and with the beach setup and onshore wind, this might actually be more interesting for kite surfing than paddling.

Tuesday 4 August dawns glassy with a 2ft ESE swell, but the period is short (8 seconds) and energy is weak (49). Still not enough to bother with. Wednesday 5 August is the first sign of life: the morning brings 2ft from the E with a 10-second period and combined energy at 101 (moderate), with clean offshore SSW wind at 6 mph. It’s surfable but very ordinary – a 1 out of 10 rating tells you it’s barely worth paddling out. The afternoon holds similar size but cross-off wind keeps it tidy.

Thursday 6 through to Saturday 8 August is back to poor surf – tiny 1-2ft swell, short periods, weak energy, and nothing doing. Sunday 9 August has a 2ft SE swell in the morning with a long 13-second period, glassy conditions, and combined energy at 161 (moderate). That’s a standout window for the cleaner heads – the long period means better shape and energy, but at a point break like Emerald Beach, it should wrap in nicely. The afternoon builds to 4ft SE at 12 seconds, energy jumps to 329 (moderate), but cross-shore wind kinks it up a bit.

Now, the real highlight comes in the second week. Wednesday 12 August afternoon is the best on offer: 3ft ESE swell with a 12-second period, combined energy at 257 (moderate), and clean cross-off wind from the WSW at 6 mph. That’s a solid, clean point wave – worth a session. Thursday 13 August morning is even better: glassy conditions, 3ft from the E at 12 seconds, energy ramps to 324 (moderate), and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the pick of the forecast. Friday 14 August morning is also glassy with 3ft ESE swell, 11-second period, energy at 203 (moderate), and clean – but the afternoon turns messy with onshore wind.

So, to sum it up: the first 10 days are mostly flat or weak, with only a few marginal windows. The standout is Thursday 13 August morning – glassy, chest-high E swell, good energy. Wednesday 12 August afternoon is also a solid call. Keep your expectations tempered for anything before then.

Rusty signing off.

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