Focene or Baraonda Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve stared at this forecast for the next 16 days and I’m gonna be straight with you – there’s nothing doing. Not a single session worth paddling out for. It’s a blank run, plain and simple. The energy just isn’t there.

Let’s start with the big picture. We’re looking at Focene or Baraonda, a fairly consistent beginner-friendly spot exposed to swell coming from the SW. But for this whole stretch, the wave height barely gets its toes wet. The best we see is a tiny 2 ft on Monday morning, 13 July, but that’s from the S with a short period of 6 seconds and the combined swell energy is a weak 28. That’s not surf, that’s a ripple. The wind is light and cross-off in the morning, so it’s clean, but the waves are just too small to do anything with. From there it just gets worse – the energy drops into single digits or zeros for days on end. Tuesday the 14th has a glassy morning but the swell is 0.7 ft with an energy of 2. That’s a lake, not a lineup.

We run through the whole first week with nothing. Thursday the 16th, glassy again in the morning, 0.7 ft of S swell, energy of 4 – still nothing. Friday the 17th is dead flat. Weekend’s no better: Saturday the 18th has a 0.9 ft west-southwest groundswell with a bit of offshore wind, but the energy is only 7. That’s a paddling pool for toddlers. Sunday the 19th has onshore wind at 15 mph and no swell to speak of. Honestly, the whole first week and into the second is a write-off.

There is a tiny pulse later on. Thursday 23 July morning shows 2 ft from the WSW with a period of 5 seconds and energy of 30 (weak). Wind is cross-off from the NE at 9 mph so it’s clean, but the wave height is pitiful. Friday 24 July morning is similar – 2 ft, WSW, clean with a light cross-off breeze, energy at 17. Still not worth suiting up for. Even the best-looking morning, Sunday 26 July, gives us 2 ft from the SW, period 5 seconds, energy 14, and glassy conditions. That’s the highest wave height in the entire outlook, but it’s a measly 2 ft. At a beach setup with short period swell, that’s barely a knee-high dribble for the beginner crowd. On the plus side, the wind is glassy, so if you’re learning and just want to get wet on a foamie, you could have a laugh. But don’t call it a surf.

The water temp is about average for the time of year.

Truth is, this area has stretches like this – it’s not unusual for the consistency to be low for days, even weeks. The forecast can always change, but right now, there are no good surf options in the 16-day window. The combined swell energy never cracks triple digits; it stays in the weak zone for the entire period. If you’re desperate, the only suggestion I have is the morning of Sunday 26 July – but keep your expectations on the floor. Otherwise, save the wax and wait for the next proper swell.

Stay tuned, and keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

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