Hideaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The only spot worth talking about over the next couple of weeks is Hideaway, a tricky reef setup that’s for advanced surfers only and rarely breaks, so you’ve got to pick your moments. The water temp is running about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there.

The trouble is, the first block of the forecast is a bit of a write-off. Friday 17th through to Saturday 19th, the wind is a solid cross-off from the east at 15 to 19 mph, which keeps things clean, but the swell is small and the combined energy is weak, sitting between 788 and 937. It’s really marginal, and the long period of 15 to 16 seconds means it’s a groundswell that’ll be breaking straight on the beach if it were a beach break, but at a reef it might offer some shape. Still, not worth getting excited about.

Sunday 19th into Monday 20th, things start to build. The swell lifts to 4ft to 6ft from the SSW, with the period stretching to 17 to 20 seconds on Monday morning – that’s very long period groundswell. The combined energy jumps to moderate at 1204 to 3001, which is a decent kick. The wind is still cross-off at 9 to 15 mph, so it’s clean. This is the first real standout. Monday morning 20th looks the best of the early run, with that 6ft SSW swell and 20-second period, energy at 3001. It’s a proper reef-feeder, and with the offshore component, it’ll be lined up. But heads up – this spot is rarely breaking, so you need to be there on the right tide.

Tuesday 21st sees the swell holding at 5ft to 5ft, but the wind swings more cross-shore and the period drops, and by the afternoon there’s a cross-chop. Not as good.

Wednesday 22nd morning has a drop in swell to 4ft, but the wind is a gentle cross-off at 9 mph, and the energy is weak at 793. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions” but with the small size and rare nature, it’s a gamble.

There’s a big gap of poor conditions from Wednesday afternoon through to the end of the week, with the swell dropping under 3ft and the wind turning onshore or cross-shore with chop. Energy drops to 306 to 568. Nothing doing.

Then, Monday 27th July – this is the real standout, and it’s a week away. The morning is dead calm, glassy, with a 3ft SSW swell, but the period is 15 seconds and the combined energy jumps to 897. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions”. That’s the one to circle. The wind is absolute glass, zero wind, so it’ll be pristine. The swell isn’t huge, but at a reef, that long period will wrap in nicely. The afternoon sees the wind turn onshore, so it’s a morning-only window.

Tuesday 28th brings a bigger swell, 8ft from the SSW, but it’s cross-on and the period drops to 14 seconds. That’s getting into expert-only territory, and the wind is light cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. Still, the energy is strong at 2080, so if you’re a charger and can handle the mess, it’s an option.

Wednesday 29th is still 7ft from the SSW, but again cross-shore and cross-on, with a period of 12 seconds. The energy is 1244, but the quality is marginal.

After that, the swell fades fast into the end of the month, with poor surf and building chop. Saturday 1st August has a return to 5ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, cross-off wind, and energy of 1244, so maybe a small cleanup.

Overall, the best bet is Monday 27th July morning at Hideaway – that glassy, 3ft SSW groundswell with very long period will be a rare treat. Monday 20th morning is also worth a look. But remember, this reef is rarely breaking, so you’ve got to be committed.

Rusty.

Read more