Gilligans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on this one.

We’ve got a solid run of southern hemi groundswell on the cards for Gilligans, a consistent reef break that’s wide open to the south-west. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there.

The first few days, from Wednesday the 12th through to Friday the 14th, are a bit of a bust. There’s a ton of energy in the water (combined swell energy around 2000 to 3000), but the wind is a stubborn cross or cross-on breeze from the SE and SSE, putting a chop on the face. The swell is solid, around 7ft to 8ft, but the quality just isn’t there for a proper paddle session. You’ll be fighting the bumps.

Saturday morning, the 15th, is the real standout in this outlook. The wind drops right out to glassy conditions, and you’ve got a 6ft south swell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is still pumping at 1999, but with that glassy surface, Gilligans is going to be absolutely clean. This is your window for some proper, lined-up reef waves. Crowds are possible here, so get in early. The swell is a touch over 5ft, so it’s right on the edge for beginners, but for any intermediate and above, it’s a no-brainer.

Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th see the swell drop a little, but the wind stays light and cross-shore, keeping things rideable with a small, 4ft to 5ft swell.

The second week looks more promising in terms of size, but less reliable for quality. From Tuesday the 18th into the following week, the swell builds again, hitting 10ft from the SSW on the 19th, 20th, and 21st. That’s a big, powerful groundswell with a period over 15 seconds (18 seconds on the 19th morning). The combined energy is through the roof, hitting 5229 on the 19th afternoon. That’s proper, heavy energy. However, the wind stays cross-shore, not offshore, so it won’t be perfect. This is only for experts; over 8ft on a reef with that much power is no joke. The long period will mean long lulls between sets, but when they come, they’ll be big.

The wave energy settles down a bit towards the end of the month, with the 23rd and 24th offering smaller, 4ft to 7ft swell, with light winds. It’s not the highlight, but it’s a lot more manageable.

So, bottom line: Saturday the 15th is your best bet. Get the glassy conditions and a solid 6ft south swell. The big stuff from the 19th is for the brave and experienced only.

Rusty.

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