Hideaway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. We’ve got one spot on the menu, and it’s a finicky one – Hideaway. This reef break is for advanced crew only and it rarely breaks, so we’re looking at a narrow window of opportunity.

First up, on Friday 10 July afternoon, we’ve got a solid 7ft SSW swell with a period of 12 seconds and a combined wave energy of 1831 (moderate to strong), but the wind is a light onshore breeze from the SSW and it’s called marginal. Water temp is 78°, about average for the time of year. Not the one.

Saturday 11 July morning bumps up to 8ft from the SSW with a very long 15-second period. The combined energy jumps to 3048 (strong), but the wind is a light cross-onshore. Still marginal, and with swell over 5ft, this is already too big for beginners. For the experts, the long period groundswell will mean better-shaped waves but longer waits, and at a reef break that’s a good thing – it’ll line up nicely.

The real standout of this whole stretch is Sunday 12 July morning. The swell drops to a still-chunky 6ft from the SSW, period 12 seconds, with combined energy of 1504 (moderate). The wind is light cross-offshore from the ESE, so it’ll be clean. The data says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and that’s the best call we’ve got. But remember, Hideaway rarely breaks, so this is a rare chance.

After that, things get messy. Sunday afternoon through to Thursday 16 July is a mix of cross-shore winds, moderate breezes, and weak or short-period swell. The combined energy drops as low as 293, and the wave comment is either marginal or poor. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendation here.

Then, Friday 17 July morning brings hope. A 4ft swell from the SSW with a 16-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE makes for clean waves. The combined energy is 1332 (moderate). The data calls it “excellent” again. But the real gem is Friday 17 July afternoon – glassy conditions with a light WSW wind, a 4ft SW swell at 15 seconds, and combined energy of 1031 (moderate). Glassy, clean, and excellent – that’s the best on offer.

Saturday 18 July carries that glassy goodness forward. Both morning and afternoon are glassy with a light ENE breeze, 4ft SW swell at 16 seconds, and combined energy around 889 to 1013. The data says “excellent” and “very good.” This is a solid, clean run for the experts.

Sunday 19 July stays clean with light cross-offshore and glassy winds, but the swell drops to 4ft. Still good, but not as punchy.

Monday 20 July turns ugly with moderate cross-onshore winds and poor/poor surf conditions, and that sets the tone for the next several days. From 20 July afternoon through to 25 July, it’s a mix of cross-shore chop, moderate breezes, and mostly marginal or poor surf. The combined energy fluctuates but the wind kills it. There’s a mention of a 6ft SSW swell on Tuesday 21 July morning with 2592 energy, but the wind is cross-shore and choppy. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddling one.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are Sunday 12 July morning for the clean, solid pulse, and Friday 17 July afternoon into Saturday 18 July for the glassy, clean conditions on a long-period swell. Both are for experts only – Hideaway is rarely breaking and easily over 5ft in those windows.

Rusty.

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