Friendly Beaches Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ll be honest with ya – for the next 16 days, Friendly Beaches is serving up a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a few clean windows, but nothing that’s going to have you calling in sick for a week straight. Let’s break it down.

We kick off on Friday morning, July 31, with clean 4ft waves from the SSE, period a short 8 seconds, and light offshore wind. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 226. It’s a decent start, but that short period means the shape won’t be world-class. Still, for an exposed east-facing beach break, you take what you can get. Come Friday afternoon, the wind swings NE and the conditions get messy, so morning is your only window there.

Saturday, August 1, looks better. Morning has 4ft SE swell with a period jumping to 12 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, with a combined energy of 317. Light cross-offshore wind from the NW keeps things clean. By afternoon, the swell holds at 4ft, 12 seconds, and the combined energy rises to 417, with clean conditions and cross-offshore wind. This is one of the better days on offer.

Sunday, August 2, is a standout. Morning has 3ft SE swell, 11 seconds, and glassy conditions – dead calm wind. The combined energy is 311. That’s the sort of glass you dream about, and the longer period will give you some push despite the smaller size. Afternoon sees the swell drop to 2ft but the period stretches to a very long 16 seconds from the south, combined energy 274. For a beach break, that long period might make the waves break a bit straight, but with clean cross-offshore wind, a longboard would love it.

Monday, August 3, is a write-off for surf. The morning has 3ft NNE windswell at a tiny 7 seconds, and even though it’s glassy, it’s weak and ordinary. Afternoon brings rain and onshore wind – forget it.

Tuesday, August 4, things get interesting for the experienced crew. Morning has 7ft S swell, a short period of 6 seconds, but clean cross-offshore wind. Combined energy is 387. That’s a solid pulse of windswell. By afternoon, it jumps to 10ft S swell, 8 seconds, combined energy 922. But at that size, for this break, it’s simply too big – big, raw swell and short period means it’s for experts only, if anyone.

Wednesday, August 5, is the true highlight of this whole outlook. Morning delivers 7ft SSE swell, 8-second period, and a combined energy reading of 1129 – that’s strong energy. Clean cross-offshore wind from the SW. This is big, powerful, and clean. It’s for experienced surfers only, but if you’ve got the skill and the board, this is the session to chase. Afternoon drops to a more manageable 5ft but the conditions turn marginal.

After that, we hit a dry spell. Thursday August 6 through to the end of the second week is mostly small, weak, or onshore-crapped-out. A few clean moments pop up – like Sunday August 9 morning is glassy but only 2ft from the ESE at 8 seconds, combined energy a weak 88. Not worth paddling out for.

Then, on Monday, August 10, the swell tries to fire again: 10ft NNE at 9 seconds, combined energy a massive 1642. But once again, it’s too big for this break and the wind is moderate cross-offshore. That’s a solid pass unless you’re a tow-in charger.

Beyond that, it’s a long slog. A small clean window on Wednesday August 12 morning – 3ft E swell at 10 seconds, light offshore from the W, combined energy 136. Surfable but ordinary. Then another tiny spike on Saturday August 15 – 5ft E swell, 10 seconds, combined energy 710 – but the conditions are marginal.

Overall, the best on offer? Saturday, August 1, with that clean 4ft groundswell and cross-offshore wind, has the most consistent quality for the average surfer. The absolute standout is Wednesday morning, August 5 – 7ft, clean cross-offshore wind, and strong energy. That one’s for the experienced crew only. Everything else is waiting for a better swell.

Rusty.

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