Gilligans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here, lookin' at the charts for the next 16 days, and honestly, I'm gettin' a bit of a tingle. This is a real good run for Gilligans. It's a reef setup, exposed to the swell, and it's very consistent. We're in for a treat.

The water's sittin' at 86°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, but nothin' too wild.

The surf kicks off Saturday, 18 July, and it's a beautiful start. Saturday morning, we've got a clean 4 ft SW swell, with a 14-second period pushin' some proper energy (766). The wind is a light cross-off from the ESE at 6 mph, makin' for clean lines. Saturday afternoon goes glassy with a 3 mph ESE breeze, droppin' to 4 ft but still plenty of punch. This is a solid opener.

Sunday, 19 July, keeps the good times rollin'. Morning glass-off with a 3 mph westerly, and a 4 ft SSW swell. The afternoon goes dead calm, with a 3 ft SSW groundswell and a period of 18 seconds – that's some serious long-period energy (997). It'll be beautiful, but that long period can make beach breaks a bit too straight. On a reef like Gilligans, this is a dream.

Now, Monday, 20 July, is where we really get goin'. The morning shows a 6 ft SSW swell, 17-second period, and the energy jumps to 2178. The wind is a light cross-off from the east at 3 mph. The afternoon is glassy, with the same size swell. This is a standout – clean, powerful, and for the more experienced. It's a touch over 5 ft, so it's not for the groms, but for anyone with a bit of skill, this is the best of the first week.

Tuesday, 21 July, still holds strong. Morning has a 5 ft SSW swell, 14-second period, with a cross-off ESE breeze at 9 mph. The afternoon gets a bit of a cross-chop from the SE at 9 mph, but the swell is still a solid 5 ft.

The rest of the week from Wednesday, 22 July, through to the end of the month gets a bit more average. The swell drops and the winds turn more cross-shore, with a bit of chop. It's not terrible, but it's nothin' to write home about. The energy stays moderate (mostly in the 500-800 range), and the conditions are marginal.

Then, we get a proper long-range call for Friday, 31 July. This is the one. Friday morning shows a 8 ft SW swell, 18-second period, and the energy is a massive 4370. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SE at 9 mph. Friday afternoon gets even better – 8 ft SW swell, 18-second period, and energy at 4788, with the same clean cross-off. This is for experts only. It's big, powerful, and perfect. It's a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it, but it's lookin' like the best wave of the whole forecast.

The weekend of 1-2 August drops off again with the swell hangin' around 7-8 ft, but the winds turn more cross-shore, and the surface gets a bit messy. Still there for the takers, but not as clean as that Friday.

So, if you're plannin' a session, lock in the 20th for a great day, and keep your fingers crossed for the 31st. That one could be a proper session.

Rusty.

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