Hat Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, this forecast for Hat Head (Australia) is a bit of a slow burn. We’ve got some solid swell on the way, but it’s going to take a while for the conditions to line up properly. The first few days are surfable but nothing to write home about, with a good run of clean conditions starting to kick in around July 20th. The real standout is that Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st, where everything comes together for some serious waves.

We start off on Wednesday morning, July 15th, with a moderate 6 ft southerly swell. The wind is a clean offshore from the SSW at 15 mph, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so the energy is a bit messy (combined energy 306). It’s surfable for a beginner, but nothing special. That afternoon, the swell bumps up to 8 ft, still with offshore wind, but the period is still short, and the energy is picking up (615). It’s marginal.

Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are similar. The swell hangs around 7 ft to 5 ft, but the wind swings cross-offshore, and the period stays short. The energy is moderate (472 to 375). It’s clean, but not inspiring. Saturday the 18th sees a jump in size, with 8 ft swell from the SE and a period of 8 seconds, but the wind is cross-off and strong at 15 mph. The energy is getting up there (930), but it’s a bit messy.

Sunday the 19th is when things get big, but not good. We’ve got a 13 ft swell from the ESE with a 10-second period, and the energy is massive (2990). That’s expert territory, but the wind is cross-off and strong, making it a bit of a washing machine. This is more for the kite surfers than us paddle guys.

Now, Monday the 20th of July is where it’s at. The swell drops to a still solid 8 ft from the E, but the period stretches to 10–11 seconds, bringing in proper groundswell. The wind is light from the SSE at 6 mph, and the energy is strong (1581). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and with good shape. Tuesday the 21st is another beauty. The swell drops a touch to 7 ft from the E, but the wind goes glassy in the morning from the SW at 3 mph. The energy is still moderate (887), and the conditions are perfect. This is your best window for a clean, fun session.

After that, the swell backs off. Wednesday the 22nd through Friday the 24th sees the swell drop to 5 ft to 4 ft, with light winds and clean conditions. The energy is low (557 to 349). It’s small but fun for a beginner or a longboard. Then Saturday the 25th has a little spike of 6 ft from the SSE, but it’s a short period (7 seconds) and the energy is moderate (546). Not a standout.

The last week of July is a bit of a mixed bag. Sunday the 26th through Wednesday the 29th has small swell (3 ft to 5 ft) with clean offshore winds, but the energy is weak (321 to 593). The 28th of July has a 5 ft S swell with a 10-second period and clean offshore wind, which is a nice little session. Thursday the 30th is tiny, 3 ft from the S, with a 9-second period and gentle offshore wind. Not much to get excited about.

The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no need to worry about a thermal rash.

Alright, the pick of the forecast is Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st of July. That’s where you’ll find the best waves. Get out there.

Rusty.

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