Hilton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead for the Hilton reef break. The 16-day window is looking pretty flat, and most of the time you’ll be staring at a lake rather than rideable waves. There’s a real gap here from now through to the end of July, with the only glimmer of hope showing up right at the tail end of the outlook.

The water temp is sitting around 82°, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year – a nice little bonus if you’re paddling out, but honestly, you won’t be doing much paddling in the first week.

Things start off pretty grim. Tuesday afternoon the 14th has a tiny 2ft swell from the WNW with a short 6-second period and weak energy (30). The wind is onshore, so it’s a write-off. Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th tease a little more with 3ft to 3ft, and the energy picks up a bit (83 to 136), but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy – poor surf conditions all round. Friday 17th drops back to 2ft, and the weekend – Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th – is even smaller at 2ft. There are a couple of glassy mornings on Saturday and Sunday, but the swell is so weak (31 and 32 energy) it’s barely a ripple. The period stays at 7 seconds, so no real push.

Monday 20th through Wednesday 22nd of July are tiny – 1ft to 2ft – with onshore or cross-onshore winds and energy dropping to between 13 and 40. It’s a flat spell, plain and simple. Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th aren’t much better, but Friday the 24th does see a jump to 5ft from the WNW with a period of 8 seconds and moderate energy (306). That’s the first real sign of life, but the wind is cross-on or onshore, and the wave comment is still “poor surf conditions.” Saturday morning the 25th is the standout – 5ft from the WNW, 8-second period, moderate energy (293), and a light cross-onshore breeze. The data calls it “marginal,” but it’s the best you’ll get. The reef should handle that swell direction okay, but the short period means it’ll be a bit weak and close-outy. If you’re skilled, you might find a couple of corners. After that, it drops again through the 26th and 27th, down to 4ft and then 3ft, with energy falling off quickly. The last few days of the month – 28th and 29th – are back to utter flatness with 1ft to 2ft.

Honestly, for this reef, the only window worth a look is Saturday morning the 25th of July. The swell is just over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners – it’s got a bit of punch, but the period is short (8 seconds) so the shape will be crumbly and a bit fat. The wind is light cross-onshore, so it’ll be bumpy but not blown out. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, so expect a few locals out. The optimum swell direction is WSW, and we’re getting WNW, so it’s a little off, but it’ll still wrap in. If you’re desperate, that’s your moment. The rest of the 16 days is a long, flat slog. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, keep your gear in the shed.

Rusty.

Read more