Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’m looking at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a real powerful pulse of swell coming through, but it’s going to be a challenging one for the average punter.

Friday morning the 17th kicks off with some solid but messy 8ft SE swell, but the wind is a cross-off from the SSE at 19 mph, which will keep the surface clean, but the period is a short 7 seconds. The energy is moderate (722), but the quality is marginal. This isn't the day to get excited.

The real action starts Saturday the 18th. The morning is a write-off, but by Saturday afternoon, the bombs start rolling in. We’re looking at a big 10ft ESE swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is cross-off. The combined energy is strong (1500). This is expert territory. The waves will be big and powerful.

Sunday the 19th is the peak of this swell. We’re seeing 13ft from the ESE on the Sunday morning and 12ft in the afternoon, with a 10-second period. The energy is very strong (2714 and 2322). Even with cross-off winds, this is way too much for a point break like Emerald Beach. This is strictly for the big-wave chargers. It’s going to be a massive, dangerous day.

Monday the 20th is when things start to settle down for the mere mortals. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the East, with a 10-second period. The afternoon looks best with a gentle SSE breeze at 9 mph, keeping things clean. The energy is still strong (1252), and the report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the standout window for the more advanced crew.

Tuesday the 21st is the day to circle. The swell has backed off to a much more manageable 6ft from the ENE, with a 10-second period. The energy is moderate (627). But the real kicker is the wind – glassy conditions in the morning with a S wind at 3 mph. That’s the cleanest we’ll see it all week. Expect very good surf. This is your best bet if you’re not in the expert bracket. The water temp is about average for the time of year.

After that, we’re looking at a steady drop-off. From Wednesday the 22nd through to the end of the month, the swell fades out. Wednesday and Thursday are small and chopped up by cross-on or onshore winds. We get a few days of clean, offshore winds from Thursday the 24th through to the 29th, but the swell is tiny – mostly under 3ft. There’s a little blip on the 29th afternoon with a 2ft SE swell and clean conditions, but it’s very ordinary. The last day of the month and into August is flat with virtually no energy.

So, to wrap it up: the big swell this weekend is for experts only. The real standout is Tuesday morning the 21st at Emerald Beach. Get it while the conditions are glassy and the swell is clean. After that, it’s a long, flat spell.

Rusty.

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