Gunnamatta Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gunnamatta Beach is the only spot on the radar for this 16-day outlook, and it’s a mixed bag of solid potential and flat-out wild conditions. The water temp is sitting at 58°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing too unusual there.

The first window of opportunity kicks off Thursday, July 9, with a clean 4ft SW swell rolling in at 15 seconds—that’s proper groundswell energy, with 937 (moderate) combined energy. The wind is light and cross-off, so the surf will be smooth and lined up. It’s a good, clean start.

Friday, July 10, sees a slight bump to 5ft SW swell (15 seconds) in the morning, with 1193 (moderate) energy, and the wind stays cross-off. The afternoon holds at 5ft. It’s still clean and fun, but nothing earth-shattering.

Saturday, July 11, is a write-off. Strong winds hit 28 to 31 mph, and the swell drops to 4ft and 3ft. The surf is poor, and the energy is weak (476 and 347). Don’t bother.

Sunday, July 12, gets big and messy. A 10ft to 12ft SW swell arrives, but with near gale-force winds, it’s a total washout. The combined energy is massive (2435 and 4314), but it’s blown out and dangerous—only for the most hardcore, and even then, it’s ugly.

Monday, July 13, the swell holds at 8ft SW (16 seconds in the morning, 14 seconds in the afternoon), but the wind is strong (25 to 28 mph) and cross-off. The morning is clean but big, with 3637 (strong) energy. Afternoon is messy. For experienced surfers only, and the wind will test your patience.

Tuesday, July 14, is a beast. 13ft SW swell with 15 seconds of period, and the combined energy is off the charts at 15244 (very strong). The morning has cross-on wind, making it messy, and the afternoon is onshore. This is too big for Gunnamatta—it’s a kite surfer’s dream, not a paddle surfer’s.

Wednesday, July 15, still sees 10ft SW swell (15 seconds) in the morning, with 4322 (very strong) energy, but cross-on wind keeps it choppy. The afternoon drops to 8ft, but it’s onshore. Again, big and only for experts.

The standout of the entire outlook is Thursday, July 16. The morning is glassy as glass with 5ft SW swell (14 seconds) and 1013 (moderate) energy. The wind is WNW at 3 mph, dead calm. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers—that’s the one to circle. The afternoon gets a bit lumpy, but the morning window is pure.

Friday, July 17, comes back with a clean 6ft SW swell (16 seconds) in the morning, 1944 (moderate) energy, and light cross-off wind. The afternoon is even cleaner at 6ft with 1439 (moderate) energy. Both sessions are solid, but not as crisp as Thursday’s glass.

Saturday, July 18, has 6ft to 5ft SW swell, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-off. The surf is clean but bumpy—still rideable for the keen.

Sunday, July 19, through to Wednesday, July 22, is a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions. The swell drops to 3ft to 3ft, and the wind is strong or cross-shore. The energy is weak (941 down to 240). There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendation.

Thursday, July 23, brings a surprise. The morning is marginal with 8ft SW swell (18 seconds) and 3827 (very strong) energy, but the afternoon is glassy with the same swell size and 3589 (very strong) energy. The wind is light and glassy—excellent for experienced surfers. This is the second true standout: a long-period groundswell with clean, glassy conditions and a very long 18-second period. That’s a rare treat, though it’s best for a point or reef, not a beach break.

Friday, July 24, is too big again. 10ft SW swell (14 seconds) with offshore or cross-off wind, but the combined energy is 3913 to 4714 (very strong). It’s clean but too large for most.

The best of the window is Thursday, July 16, morning—glassy, clean, 5ft SW swell, and moderate energy. The second best is Thursday, July 23, afternoon, also glassy with a very long-period 8ft SW swell. Both are for experienced surfers. Crowds are ‘often’ at Gunnamatta, so expect company if you go.

Rusty

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