Iluka-North Wall Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you – this outlook for the next 16 days is a tough one to write. We’re looking at the Iluka North Wall (breakwater), and honestly, it’s been a flat, ugly stretch of time. For a spot that is very consistent, this is a proper dry spell, and it’s pretty disappointing.

The whole opening week offers barely a whisper of decent surf. Wednesday morning the 3rd has tiny 1 ft SSE swell with 10-second period, cross-off wind from the NW at 12 mph, and combined energy of just 91 – that’s weak. The water temp is 69°, which is about average for this time of year, but the surf is too small and weak to care. Thursday afternoon on the 3rd bumps up to 5 ft from the NNE, but with a crappy 6-second period and messy cross-off wind, the 243 energy reading doesn’t save it. Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are similarly dud – wobbly, tiny, and cross-shore to onshore. There’s a long gap of pretty much nothing worth paddling out for until we get into the start of the second week.

Sunday morning the 8th fires up a bit with 8 ft SSE swell, 8-second period, and a cross wind from the south at 16 mph. The energy is a solid 677 – moderate wave energy – but the quality is still shot. That cross wind chops it up, and the period is short, making for lumpy, unappealing walls. This is a spot that holds size but needs clean conditions, and it just can’t get them. Monday morning the 9th is similar with 6 ft SSE, 9-second period, and gentler cross wind – energy at 503 – but it’s still only marginal. Nothing to get excited about.

The real standout, and I mean the only one worth marking on the calendar, is coming up on Friday the 18th. Friday morning we get 8 ft of SSE groundswell, 9-second period, combined energy of 984 – that’s strong wave energy. But more importantly, the wind swings cross-off from the NW at 9 mph. That means clean, glassy lines. For the Iluka North Wall, this is the one moment where the stars line up. The swell direction from the SSE matches the optimum easterly direction for this break, and that size is solid. It’s a bit big for beginners – over 8 ft is expert territory – but for anyone with experience, this is the session. The crowds are sometimes, so it might not be too packed. Lock that in for the morning of the 18th.

After that, Friday afternoon drops to 8 ft with a cross wind, and the rest of the 16-day run fades into tiny, weak, or wind-chopped nothingness. There’s another gap from the 15th right through to the morning of the 18th with only poor or marginal conditions. This is a rare blank run for a spot that’s usually consistent – forecasts can always change, but right now, don’t hold your breath.

Stay patient – that Friday the 18th morning could be a gem.

Rusty

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