Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with you – the next 16 days at Empty Lots are a tough watch. The spot’s a reef break, exposed to the swell, but every single reading shows cross-shore wind, and the wave comments are flat-out “poor” or “marginal.” There’s nothing that jumps out as a proper session. The first stand-out moment doesn’t even come until the morning of Tuesday the 28th of July, and even that’s a marginal call.

Let’s walk through it. The first week is a write-off. From Friday the 17th through to Monday the 27th of July, it’s all cross-shore breeze, mostly 15 to 22 mph, bumping up the surface. The swell is all over the place – small south-southwest pulses with very long periods (16 to 24 seconds) which *should* mean groundswell, but with those winds whipping across, it’s just lumpy cross-chop. The water temp is 80°, which is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual. The combined energy sits mostly in the moderate range (382 to 940), but with that wind, you’re not getting clean lines.

Then we hit the Tuesday the 28th of July morning. This is the one true standout. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the east, period 15 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell. The wind drops to just 6 mph from the east, still cross-shore but light enough that it’ll be glassy. The combined energy is strong at 1893. Now, this is a reef break, so a long-period east swell should wrap in nicely. The only catch: this swell is over 5 ft, so it’s getting into the range that’s a bit much for beginners, and while it’s not huge, the long period (15 seconds) means bigger sets and longer lulls. It’s best for the experienced crew. Don’t expect many people around – the crowds are only “sometimes” here, so you might have it quiet.

After that, the 29th of July morning drops to 5 ft from the east, period 12 seconds, still with a moderate cross-shore, but the energy is down to 944. It’s okay, but not special. The 30th of July has 4 ft east-northeast swell, period 11 seconds, with a light breeze on the morning – that’s a better bet for a more relaxed session, though the energy is moderate (716). The 31st of July morning sees a small 2 ft south-west groundswell (16 seconds) but with a light cross-on shore, so it’s messy.

Then it fades out into August with nothing worthwhile.

So the bottom line: you’ve got a long dry spell, then a promising morning on the 28th of July. That’s your best window. Keep an eye on it, because the long-range is always a bit less certain, but with the wind dropping that light, it could clean up proper.

Rusty.

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