Fare Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for Fare Left.

Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got some chest-high swell rolling through, but the wind is blowing cross-off from the SSE, which in theory is okay, but the forecast notes are calling it marginal, and the wave energy is moderate (around 563). The sets are showing some decent period, around 11 seconds, so there’s a bit of push, but nothing to get excited about. Water temp is sitting at a balmy 81°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year.

Come Wednesday and Thursday, the swell tries to pick up a little, but the wind swings around to the ESE and ENE, strengthening to a moderate to fresh breeze, and the scores are low. The wave energy climbs a touch (up to 674), but the quality just isn't there. Thursday afternoon sees a shift in direction to a long-period SW groundswell (18 seconds), but at only 3 feet, it’s too small to make much of the power that period promises.

Friday and the weekend (10th-12th July) are a real mixed bag. Friday morning has a little 2ft SSW groundswell (16 seconds) with cross-off winds, but the energy is dropping (405). Friday afternoon goes cross-shore and the surf is described as poor. Saturday (11th) actually gets some offshore wind from the WNW, but the swell is still small and weak. Sunday (12th) is interesting because the combined energy jumps up to 858 on the morning session and 1046 in the afternoon, with 5ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-shore, putting a chop on it. Not great.

Now, here’s where we get a standout. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, 14th July. The morning session is the pick of the entire 16-day window. We’ve got a solid 7ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is a light SSE breeze coming cross-off. That’s a clean, powerful setup. The wave energy is substantial (1854), and the forecast notes say “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a reef break and it's fairly consistent, but it's for advanced surfers only – 7ft is getting up there, and it’s a reef, so respect the shallow sections. The wind will keep those faces glassy.

After that high point, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th keep the size up, with 6ft to 8ft SSW swell, but the wind gets stronger, cross and cross-off, and the quality drops off. Thursday morning has a fresh cross-shore breeze and a bit of lumpy chop, so it’s more of a battle. By Friday (17th) and into the weekend (18th), the swell hangs in at 5ft to 6ft, but the wind goes messy with cross-onshore, and once the period drops to 11 seconds, the waves lose that grind. It’s doable, but you’ll be working for it.

Looking further out into the second week, Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st have some grunt coming back. You’ll see 6ft to 7ft SSW swell, clean cross-off winds from the SE to ESE, and the energy spikes again (2210 on Monday afternoon). The period is a solid 12 to 14 seconds, so there’s proper groundswell in the water. That Tuesday (21st) also mixes in a very long-period component (18 seconds) in the afternoon, but at 3ft, it won’t have the size to really unload on that reef.

Wednesday 22nd winds down, with swell dropping to 3ft and a long 16-second period, but the wind is a fresh cross-off, so it’ll be clean if you just want some longboard-style lines.

Overall, the first week is pretty grim. There’s a gap from now until Tuesday 14th without any true green lights. But that Tuesday 14th morning is the absolute standout. If you can only surf one day, that’s your window. After that, the second week actually offers a few more cleaner days (20th and 21st), but the first standout is the one to chase.

Stay sharp, watch the tide, and don’t get caught inside on the 14th.

- Rusty

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