Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it, because I’ll be honest – this one is a bit of a tough read. We’ve got a stretch of surf ahead that’s more about dodging the closeouts than scoring anything memorable. The water is running a warm 72° at the moment, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a bath out there, but the waves are nowhere near as inviting.

The outlook starts with a bit of a flat spell, so don't get your hopes up for the first few days. We’re looking at a long gap with no real recommendations. The first hint of something rideable pops up on Saturday the 26th, but it's small and weak. The energy is a measly (29) – barely a bump. The wind is light offshore from the SE in the morning, which will keep the surface clean, but the swell is only 2ft from the west with a short, choppy period of 6 seconds. It’s really not much to write home about.

The real standout, if you can call it that, is a flash in the pan on the afternoon of Saturday, July 25th. The swell jumps to a moderate 2ft, but the period blows out to a massive 21 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (371). This long period will make the waves peel with more shape, but it’s a west-southwest swell hitting a spot that needs NW to be optimum, so it’s a bit of an off-angle. The wind is light and cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. Still, for a reef and point setup, that long period can create some surprising lines. It’s a one-afternoon-only deal, and with the crowds noted as “sometimes”, you might have a few mates out there.

After that, it’s back to the waiting game. The rest of the week and into August is a slog of tiny, weak swells – mostly under 2ft with periods of 6 seconds or less. The energy is pathetic, often in the single or low double digits. Winds are light and often offshore in the mornings, which is a tease – the waves just aren’t there. The morning of Monday, August 5th sees a clean, light offshore wind from the SSE, with a 1ft swell from the SW at 14 seconds, giving an energy of (93). It’s still small, but the long period and clean conditions make it the most promising option in the second week. It’s a real “if you’re desperate” kind of session.

To wrap it up: The only real highlight is the Saturday afternoon, July 25th window. The long-period groundswell and moderate energy are a one-off. Everything else is a lot of flat, weak, or poor-quality surf. If you’re a beginner, this entire period is a dud. For the experts, there’s nothing here that’s going to get the heart racing. The setup looks more interesting for a kite than a paddle most days.

So, keep your eyes on the forecast for changes, but for now, I’d be giving the board a rest and maybe finding something else to do for a couple of weeks.

Rusty.

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