Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next sixteen days at Empty Lots are a real mixed bag, and honestly, there’s not a lot to get excited about for a decent paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions, then a few days that look salvageable, but it’s not shaping up to be a classic run.

The pattern starts with a big block of pretty ordinary surf. From Tuesday the 21st of July right through the end of the week, the wind is stubbornly cross-shore from the east-northeast, gusting fresh at 15 to 22 mph. That’s gonna put a nasty cross-chop on everything. The swell is small, averaging 2 ft to 3 ft out of the south-southwest, with a weak combined energy reading (between 484 and 1095). The wave comment is all “poor surf conditions” and the score is a zero. Not worth the drive.

The weekend and the start of the following week (Friday 24th to Monday 27th July) doesn’t get much better. The swell pushes up a touch – around 3 ft to 5 ft – but the cross-shore wind stays strong (15 to 19 mph), and the wave comment shifts to “marginal forecast or questionable tide conditions.” The scores are still 1 or 2 out of 10. The combined energy climbs into the 1000-1400 range, suggesting moderate energy, but it’s all messy and lumpy. Not a fun session.

Now, the one glimmer in this whole period. On Wednesday the 29th of July, things start to turn. The wind drops to 9 mph from the east in the morning, and by the afternoon it swings to the northeast, becoming a light cross-offshore breeze. The surf is 6 ft from the ENE with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1055). The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” and the score hits a 4. It’s the cleanest it’s going to get. That Wednesday afternoon is the standout.

But it’s a short window. Thursday the 30th of July the wind goes light onshore, and then from Friday the 31st of July through to Sunday the 3rd of August, we’re back to fresh cross-shore easterlies and waves that are either too small (2 ft to 3 ft) or short-period junk (8 seconds). The combined energy drops back to weak-moderate territory (292 to 838). Scores are back to zero.

From Monday the 4th of August to Wednesday the 5th of August, the swell picks up a bit – 3 ft to 5 ft out of the east and east-northeast with a period of 12 to 14 seconds. The energy is moderate (683 to 851). But the wind is still cross-shore, and the comment is “marginal” at best, with scores of 1. So, it’s still not a green light.

Water temperature is sitting at 80°F, which is right about average for the time of year, so no need to worry about a cold one.

So, here’s the honest take: the only real shot at a decent session is the afternoon of Wednesday the 29th of July. That north-east cross-offshore breeze and a solid 6 ft swell from the ENE should clean up Empty Lots nicely. It’s an advanced reef break, and it’s fairly consistent, but it can get crowded sometimes. The swell direction (ENE) matches the optimum (SSE) reasonably well for this exposed spot. For the rest of the days, you’re looking at a lot of chop and frustration. If you’re not a dedicated surfer, this setup might be more interesting for kite surfing than paddling out.

Rusty.

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