Gnaraloo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and we’ve got a solid block of swell on the cards for Gnaraloo over the next couple of weeks. It’s a reef set-up that’s consistent and exposed to the SW, so when the energy lines up, it can be a proper show. Let’s not waste time – we’re straight into it.

The water temp is sitting at 73°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off Saturday the 1st of August with a solid pulse. Morning sees a 5ft swell from the WSW, with a 16-second period pushing a combined energy of 1115 (moderate wave energy). The wind is offshore from the SE at 16 mph, which is a major plus – that’s clean, lined-up reef surf for experienced crew. The afternoon turns a bit cross-off and drops to 5ft, still clean but the score drops off. The best bet is definitely the morning session.

Sunday the 2nd stays in the zone with 4ft from the WSW, 15-second period, and a light ENE cross-off in the morning. Combined energy is 716 (moderate). Clean, fun waves, but not the standout. The afternoon gets a cross-on breeze and gets choppy – not worth it.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are a bit of a mixed bag. Monday is a write-off with strong cross-on winds and rain showers. Tuesday morning does offer a brief window with a 3ft swell, 16-second period, and a light SSE cross-off, giving clean conditions but the size is small. Combined energy is 550 (moderate). It’s a maybe, but not a priority.

Now, the first real standout is Wednesday the 5th. The morning has a 6ft WSW swell at 16 seconds, combined energy hitting 1540 (strong wave energy). The wind is a cross-off from the SSE at 16 mph, keeping it clean. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers. Even the afternoon holds 5ft, but the wind freshens to 22 mph. The morning is the pick.

The swell builds through the week. Thursday the 6th morning is 7ft, 16 seconds, and combined energy of 2043 (strong). The SSW cross-off at 12 mph keeps it clean. That’s powerful, well-shaped reef surf for confident surfers. The afternoon picks up a cross-shore wind and gets lumpy, so stick to the morning.

Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th are solid but not the best – 5ft to 7ft, clean mornings, but the winds are moderate to fresh. Worth a paddle if you’re keen, but the real highlight is Sunday the 9th.

Sunday the 9th is the absolute standout of the entire outlook. The morning has a 10ft WSW swell at 17 seconds, combined energy of 4653 (very strong wave energy). The wind is offshore from the SE at 19 mph – that’s a dream scenario for the reef. The afternoon is even better: 10ft, 19-second period, combined energy of 6659 (very strong), and a moderate offshore from the SSE at 16 mph. That’s exceptional surf for expert surfers only. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th see the swell drop back. Monday is 7ft in the morning, clean, but the wind is a cross-off and the energy is still strong (2482). Tuesday drops to 4ft, with offshore winds, but the energy is much lower. Both are okay, but not special.

Wednesday the 12th has a nice 4ft swell with a 17-second period, clean offshore from the ESE, and combined energy of 903 (moderate). That’s a good, clean long-period swell, which suits the reef perfectly. The afternoon turns cross-shore, so morning is the go.

Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th are a mixed bag. Thursday is a washout with onshore winds. Friday the 14th morning has a clean 5ft swell from the WSW at 17 seconds, combined energy of 1252 (strong), with a light S cross-off. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers again.

The second week: Saturday the 15th holds a clean 4ft morning with offshore SSE breeze, and Sunday the 16th brings a bigger pulse – 8ft in the morning, 18 seconds, combined energy of 3717 (very strong), with a moderate offshore. That’s expert-only territory, but it’s a promising end to the outlook.

Overall, the standout is Sunday the 9th of August – that morning and afternoon session is the best on offer. The next best is Wednesday the 5th and Friday the 14th mornings. For the rest, pick the clean morning windows. The reef will be working, but the bigger days are for the experts only.

Rusty.

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