Henrys Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the cards at Henrys (reef), kicking off this week and hanging around for a good while. The water’s sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nice surprise.

The action really gets going from Monday afternoon the 6th of July. It’s glassy, dead calm, with a clean 3ft swell rolling in from the SW. That’s a long-period groundswell at 19 seconds, packing some serious punch with a combined energy of 1203 (moderate to strong). Perfect for a late arvo session – conditions are excellent for those who know what they’re doing.

Tuesday the 7th is the standout of this whole run. Morning sees a bump up to 4ft from the SW, period still a lovely 18 seconds, and a clean offshore breeze from the ENE at 12 mph. Wave energy is still chunky at 1126 (moderate to strong). Afternoon glass-off again with a 5ft SW swell and 18-second period, energy up to 1263 (moderate to strong). That’s back-to-back quality – best on offer by a long way. This reef loves that long-period SW groundswell, and with clean conditions, it’s going to be a treat. Just be aware, the swell is under 5ft so it’s not too hefty for the average surfer, but that long period will have the waves peeling nicely.

Wednesday the 8th drops off a bit. Morning is clean enough with ENE cross-off wind and 4ft from the SSW, period down to 16 seconds, energy 864 (moderate). But afternoon gets a cross-on wind from the SW, making it messy. From Thursday the 9th through the weekend, the swell hangs around 3ft to 4ft, mostly SW/SSW with periods around 14-16 seconds. Mornings are generally clean with light offshore or cross-off breezes, but afternoons are often spoiled by cross-on winds or rain. Energy drops from 544 down to 325 (weak to moderate) by Friday arvo. It’s surfable, but nothing compared to those first two days.

Into the second week, from Monday the 13th, the swell fades noticeably. We’re looking at 2ft to 3ft waves, periods around 13-14 seconds, and energy down in the 150-470 range (weak to moderate). Mornings are still clean with offshore winds a few days, so you can get a fun little wave, but it’s small. The 20th of July and 21st bring a slight uptick in period back to 16-17 seconds, but the height is still only 2-2ft. Not a bad little window for a longboard, but far from the earlier glory.

Overall, if you can only surf one day this fortnight, make it Tuesday the 7th. That combo of solid SW groundswell, glassy sea, and offshore winds at Henrys is as good as it gets. The reef setup means those long-period waves won’t just close out – they’ll hold shape. Crowds are likely here because it’s consistent, but on such a good day, it’s worth it.

Rusty.

Read more