Forster Beach (Nambucca) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checking in from the Nambucca region. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up, so let’s get straight into it.

First up, Saturday the 11th of July – Forster Beach (Nambucca) is the spot to be early. The morning is looking clean with glassy conditions, a 4ft swell from the ESE with a solid 12-second period, and the combined wave energy is sitting at a nice moderate 651. Water temp is 67°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The morning is the standout; by afternoon, the wind swings onshore and the quality drops right off.

Sunday the 12th sees the swell ease to 3ft from the ESE, still with a decent 10-second period, and the wind is light cross-off in the morning, so it’s rideable but nothing special. The combined energy drops to 220. By afternoon, the wind goes offshore at 9 mph, but the swell’s down to 3ft – it’s clean but small.

Monday the 13th starts with a glassy morning, but the swell is only 3ft from the S with a short 8-second period, and the energy is weak at 99. It’s ordinary, and the afternoon gets worse. From Tuesday the 14th through to Wednesday the 15th, it’s flat or tiny – under 2ft – with cross-off winds and very low energy. You’re looking at a dead patch for a few days.

Then things get interesting but scary. From Wednesday the 15th afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft from the S, and by Thursday the 16th, we’re looking at 12ft from the SSE. The combined energy rockets into the thousands – 1034, 2184, 1909 – and it stays huge through to Monday the 20th of July. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s too big for Forster Beach. The winds are mostly cross-off or cross-shore, so it’s messy, but the main issue is the size. This setup is more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers.

The big swell finally backs off a touch by Tuesday the 21st of July. That morning stands out – 8ft from the E with a 12-second period, light cross-off breeze, and the energy is still strong at 2256. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The water’s still clean, and the direction is good. Wednesday the 22nd drops to 6ft, still decent but with stronger cross-off wind.

The best of the run comes later – Thursday the 24th of July morning is a true standout. Glassy conditions, 8ft from the S, a 10-second period, and the combined energy is 2004. That’s clean, powerful, and just right for a surfer who knows what they’re doing. Saturday the 25th morning is also glassy, with 7ft from the SSE, and Sunday the 26th morning offers 6ft from the ESE with offshore wind and a 11-second period – clean and consistent.

Crowds are possible at Forster Beach, especially on the cleaner weekend mornings, but the size will keep the beginners out when it’s over 8ft.

So, bottom line: the first few days are small and ordinary, there’s a huge gap in the middle where it’s too big for this break, but the week starting the 21st has some real gems for experienced surfers. The standout is the 24th of July morning – glassy, solid swell, and clean waves. Worth setting the alarm for.

Rusty.

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