Fourth Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Fourth Beach.

We’ve got a solid block of surf coming, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag of conditions. The real standout is a window of clean, offshore conditions that’ll make the most of the consistent southwest swell. The water's sitting at 62° which is about normal for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

The first few days are a write-off, honestly. Tuesday the 21st kicks off with a messy 7ft SSW swell and a cross-on wind, total energy is high (1572) but the quality is poor. Wednesday and Thursday stay rough, with 10ft SSW swell but cross-on winds and a choppy mess. That’s all beginner territory too - way too big and messy.

Then we get a taste of the good stuff. Friday morning the 24th, the wind switches offshore from the north, dropping the swell to a clean 6ft SSW. The energy is still strong (1127). That afternoon, it gets glassy with a light ESE breeze and 5ft SSW swell – that’s the primo window for the experienced surfer. The swell is a solid 13-second groundswell, which will shape up nicely with those clean conditions.

The weekend is smaller but still clean. Saturday morning the 25th has a 5ft SSW swell, but a cross-off wind keeps it looking tidy. Saturday afternoon, the wind goes light offshore from the NNE, with 4ft SSW swell. Sunday the 26th morning, the wind gets fresh offshore (22 mph) but the swell jumps to 8ft SW, and the energy is high (1607). That afternoon, though, it gets too big for the break at 12ft SSW with a massive 5623 energy reading. Even with offshore wind, that’s a beast for experts only.

Monday the 27th has a 8ft SSW swell, but the wind goes cross-off and then strong cross-shore, ruining it. Tuesday the 28th is a no-go with onshore winds again.

The next real highlight is Wednesday the 29th morning. A very clean 6ft SSW swell with a light cross-off breeze from the ENE. The period is 13 seconds, and the energy is solid (1771). That’s excellent for experienced surfers. Thursday the 30th gets smaller, with a 4ft SSW swell but a very long 16-second period, making it a clean long-period groundswell. That’s a point break and reef swell, so at a beach break like Fourth Beach, it might be a bit straight, but it’ll be clean.

Friday the 31st morning has a 5ft SSW swell (16-second period) with a cross-off wind, and the afternoon gets even better: 5ft SSW with a light offshore wind from the NNE. That’s a very good session.

The first week of August is a mess. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd are totally blown out with strong onshore winds and lumpy conditions. Monday the 3rd sees a huge 8ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, but the wind is onshore, so it’s a lumpy, ugly mess. However, Tuesday the 4th morning is a true standout: 8ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and a clean cross-off wind from the NNW. The energy is massive (4194). That’s excellent for experienced surfers and the best of the second week. Wednesday the 5th morning is another gem: 10ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, light offshore wind from the NNE, and massive energy (4385). That’s a beast for the experts only, but it’ll be glassy perfection.

So, the best on offer for the average surfer is the Friday the 24th glassy session, and for the experienced crew, the Wednesday the 29th morning or Tuesday the 4th of August morning are the true standouts. That Tuesday the 4th is a solid week and a half away, so keep an eye on it, but it’s looking promising.

Rusty.

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