Hat Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our corner of the coast. The outlook is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a solid pulse of swell coming through, but the wind is going to be a pain in the arse for a few days before it cleans up. The water temp is sitting at 68°F which is pretty much right on the money for this time of year, so no need to dig out the extra thick rubber just yet.

We’re looking at Hat Head, a point break that’s inconsistent but can dish up some gems. It’s an exposed SE spot, which is bang on what the swell’s bringing. The crowd factor is ‘often’, so expect company, but it’s a point break so there’s usually a bit of room to spread out if you’re savvy.

The first real action kicks off on Friday the 17th, but it’s a bit of a tease. Afternoon sees a 6ft SE swell coming in at 7 seconds – that’s short period, lumpy energy. The wind is a cross-off from the SSE at 12 mph, so it’s rideable but not pretty. The combined energy (360) is moderate, but the score tells me it’s marginal. Honestly, it’s a “maybe” for a late arvo paddle if you’re desperate.

Saturday the 18th is bigger but still messy. Morning pushes 8ft SE at 8 seconds, and the wind is still cross-off. The energy jumps to 725 (moderate), but it’s a bit of a washing machine. By afternoon, the swell shifts to 7ft from the E at 9 seconds with a stronger 19 mph cross-off wind. The combined energy cranks to 1153 (strong), but the wind is blowing hard enough to put a chop on it. Best to sit this one out.

Sunday the 19th is the heavy hitter. Morning and afternoon both see 10ft to 12ft of E/ESE swell, period up to 10 seconds. The wind stays cross-off from the SSE at 16 mph, but the energy is massive – 2312 (very strong). This is proper expert territory. Over 8ft, it’s for the crew who know what they’re doing. The long period groundswell will be lining up well on the point, but the beach breaks will be a freight train. Not for the faint-hearted.

Now hold onto your leggie, because Monday the 20th is where it’s at. The swell drops to a solid 8ft from the E, still 10 seconds of clean groundswell energy. The wind goes light – SSE at 6 mph, cross-off, and the morning is cloudy. The combined energy is 1247 (strong), but it’s the wind that makes it. This is the standout. Clean, powerful, and the afternoon is just as good with 7ft and the same light wind. For experienced surfers, this is the window. The point will be working beautifully, and the light offshore/cross-off breeze will have the waves standing up. It’s a bit heavy for beginners, but if you’ve got the skills, get in the water.

Tuesday the 21st is still a good option, but it’s a step down. Morning is clean with a 6ft E swell, 10 seconds, and a whisper-light 3 mph offshore from the west. The energy is 685 (moderate). The wind is glassy, and it’ll be clean. The afternoon turns a bit ugly with a cross-on breeze from the ENE, so make the most of the morning.

From Wednesday the 22nd, the surf drops away fast. We’re looking at 4ft dribble with onshore winds, then a tiny 3ft through Thursday, and by Friday the 24th, it’s basically flat with poor conditions. We’ve got a long gap from the 22nd through to the 31st of July where the swell is under 3ft and the wind is all over the place. There’s a tiny pulse of 5ft on the 1st of August, but it’s from the S, short period, and the wind is onshore. Not worth getting excited about.

So the call is simple: Monday the 20th is your best day. Get to Hat Head early for the cleanest lines and that punchy 8ft E swell. Sunday the 19th is for the big dog crew only. Everything else is either marginal or flat.

Rusty out.

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