Friendly Beaches Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Friendly Beaches.

To be straight with you, the next week and a half is a bit of a slow burn. There’s a real gap at the start after the first decent pulse, with a few days of tiny, weak waves that are only really surfable but not worth getting excited about. The real standout action, and the only time I’d be locking in plans, is the period around the 20th and 21st of July, and then again late in the second week.

The first bit of action kicks off Sunday morning the 12th. We’re looking at a 6 ft swell from the north, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s a bit of a jumbled mess. The water temp is sitting at 57 °F, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The wind is a cross-off from the NW at 9 mph, so it’ll be clean, but the wave energy is moderate (516). It’s surfable, but not the highlight.

Then things drop right off. From Monday the 13th through to Saturday the 18th, the swell is tiny, mostly under 3 ft, with long-period southerly groundswell (16 seconds). That kind of long period at a beach break like Friendly Beaches can make waves break too straight and fat. The wind is offshore or light, so it’s clean, but the energy is weak (mostly under 200). There’s a little bump on the 18th Saturday afternoon, with a 3 ft south swell, 11 seconds, and glassy conditions – that’s a nice clean session but nothing to write home about.

Now, the true standout. On Monday the 20th of July, the afternoon session is the one. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the NNE, with a decent 11-second period, and the energy is very strong (1953). The wind is light and cross-off from the WNW at 6 mph. This is excellent, powerful surf. It’s getting up there in size though, so this is one for the experienced crew only. The morning of the 20th is also good, with a 4 ft NE swell and strong energy (591), but the afternoon is the peak.

Tuesday the 21st keeps the quality high. The morning has a 4 ft swell from the NE with light offshore winds, and the energy is strong (414). The afternoon turns on a 8 ft swell from the south, but with a short 7-second period – that’s a lot of close-out chaos. The energy is still very strong (946), but it’s not the best shape. The morning is the better call.

After that, the 22nd of July Wednesday morning sees a massive 10 ft swell from the SSE, but that’s just too big for this break. The wind is glassy, but it’s a recipe for a beating. Leave that one for the tow teams.

The second week from the 23rd onwards has some solid, consistent surf. The 23rd Thursday afternoon is a standout with a 6 ft SE swell at 9 seconds, clean cross-off wind, and very strong energy (1189). This is excellent for experienced surfers. The 24th Friday morning is also a cracker: 5 ft SE swell, 10-second period, light offshore wind, and strong energy (1077). The 25th Saturday morning has a 5 ft E swell with a 12-second period, offering strong energy (1318), but the wind is a moderate cross-off, so it’s a little less clean.

The last few days into the 27th see the swell drop back down to tiny, unexciting levels.

So, if you’re looking for the best, circle Monday the 20th of July afternoon. That’s the big one. The 7 ft NNE swell, clean light winds, and heaps of energy. The 23rd Thursday afternoon and 24th Friday morning are your next best bets later on. The rest of the time it’s a waiting game. Crowds are sometimes a factor here, so keep that in mind on the good days.

Rusty.

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