Forster Beach (Nambucca) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Nambucca's shaping up to deliver over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temp is sitting right on 68°, pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The early action kicks off Saturday the 4th. The morning is where it's at – we've got a clean 5 ft south groundswell, light as a feather SW glass at 3 mph making it look like a mirror, and a solid 521 (moderate energy) in the water. This is a standout window for beginners looking for a fun, clean wave. The swell's a touch short on period at 8 seconds, so the waves will be a bit fat and soft, but perfect for learning on. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so you might have some company.

Saturday afternoon is a write-off – the wind swings SE and turns cross and the swell drops to 3 ft. Poor.

Sunday the 5th sees a cleaner 3 ft south swell in the morning with a 10-second period and a cross-off SW breeze at 9 mph. It's alright for a small wave board. By afternoon, it bumps to 7 ft from the south with a longer 12-second period. The energy jumps to a strong 1268 (strong energy). This is the kind of solid, clean groundswell that works best for a point or reef, but Forster Beach is exposed. The cross-off wind is still good, but it’s pushing toward the bigger side for the weekend warrior. This is the pick of the weekend.

Monday the 6th is just too messy. Light rain, a stiff 12-15 mph cross-off, and pumping swell at 8 ft and 10 seconds. The energy is huge (1669-1496, strong energy), but the onshore wind and size make it a bit of a dog. It's heavy and clean-ish, but only for solid surfers.

Tuesday through Thursday (7th to 9th July) is a no-go zone for paddle surfing. The swell is 10 ft to 12 ft with SSE groundswell at 10-11 seconds. The combined energy is absolutely pumping – 3908, 2438, 2178. That's very strong energy. The wind is cross-off, but for a beach break at this size and short-ish period, it's going to be a washing machine. Only for experts. For most, it's kite-surf territory.

The standouts of the second week are lining up. Friday the 10th morning is a beauty – 8 ft groundswell from the SSE (11 seconds) with a light cross-off SSW breeze and a clean face. It's still big at 8 ft and the energy is very strong (1315), but it's a well-ordered swell for experienced surfers. This is a classic Nambucca morning; not too crowded, and proper waves.

Saturday the 11th morning delivers again: 5 ft SSE groundswell (10 seconds) with glassy conditions – 3 mph from the west. The energy is lower at 487 (moderate energy), but it'll be clean and fun for a bigger range of people. Crowds are possible.

From Sunday the 12th all the way to Thursday the 16th, things go flat to tiny and poor. Swells drop below 3 ft with poor wind on most days. The energy falls to between 24 and 203 (weak to low moderate energy). A real quiet spell.

Thursday the 16th morning shows a little pulse of life: 3 ft south swell with a 9-second period, offshore SW wind at 9 mph, and 203 (moderate energy) in the water. It’s only a 'good' call, not a standout, but a sign of life.

Then Friday the 17th morning – a glassy 3 ft south swell with light offshore, but the energy is low (129). It’s ordinary.

Now, the long-range promise. Sunday the 19th of July is a bit of a monster on the charts. A 10 ft south groundswell (10 seconds) with a clean offshore WSW breeze at 6 mph in the morning. The energy is 1930 (very strong energy). That is huge. The problem: for Forster Beach, 10 ft is way too big. It's an expert zone only. In the afternoon, the wind goes cross-onshore from the ESE and it's still giant (10 ft, 11 seconds, 2160 energy). This is another one for the experienced lot or the kite crew.

Overall, the best bet for the most people is Saturday the 4th morning's glassy 5 ft beginner-friendly waves, and for the stronger surfer, Friday the 10th morning's clean 8 ft groundswell is the standout.

Rusty.

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