J-Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let's have a look at what's on the cards for our little slice of paradise. The main man here is J-Bay, and it's looking like a proper story of two halves over this 16-day stretch. We've got a big, clean pulse coming mid-week next week that's got all the makings of a classic, but the bookends are a bit of a mixed bag.

We kick off on Wednesday the 22nd with a solid 7ft SW groundswell, period hanging around 12 seconds. The wind's a light cross-off, so the lines will be clean. The combined energy is sitting at 1805 (moderate), but it's solid enough for the experienced crew. It's a touch on the bigger side for a beginner, but for the rest of us, it's a proper goer. Thursday the 23rd starts similar, with a 6ft SW swell and light cross-off winds, but the arvo gets blown out with a strong 25 mph cross-off. That's a write-off.

Now, Friday the 24th is the one. This is the standout. We're looking at a 13ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. That's a serious amount of water moving, with the combined energy hitting 7665 (strong to very strong). The wind is a glassy offshore from the NW. That's the dream team. This is a big, powerful wave – strictly for experts only. It'll be barrelling down the point, but that long period will keep it lined up perfectly. Just be aware, with that size and power, it's not a day for the faint of heart. Crowds are often a thing here, and on a day like this, they'll be inevitable.

Saturday the 25th is a nice follow-up. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, and it's glassy again in the morning. The energy is down to 2179 (moderate), but it's still a fantastic, clean wave for experienced surfers. Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are smaller but clean, with 6ft to 8ft SW swell, light to moderate cross-off winds. The energy stays in the moderate range (around 1194-1908). Good, fun, workable surf.

Things get a bit messy from Tuesday the 28th through to the end of the month. Strong onshore winds, rain, and a bumpy 10ft SSW swell. That's a kite-surfing setup if ever I saw one. The energy is high (up to 5559), but the quality is poor. We have a bit of a lull, with only small, choppy, onshore waves for the first few days of August.

We get a second wind on Monday the 3rd of August. A clean 7ft swell from the east, but with a short 8-second period. The energy is 1788 (moderate). It's a different beast, but clean. This is a promising call, but remember, it's over a week away, so take it with a pinch of salt. The real highlight for the second week, though, is Wednesday the 5th of August. Another promising pulse: 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, and light cross-off winds. That's got "excellent" written all over it, with the energy at 2728 (moderate to strong). And Thursday the 6th of August looks similar, with a 10ft SW swell and light cross-off winds, but the energy is even higher at 3393. That's a proper end to the outlook.

Overall, the absolute best on offer is that Friday the 24th of July. It's a no-brainer. Glassy, groundswell, and pumping. The second best would be that Wednesday the 5th of August if the forecast holds. It's a classic J-Bay track.

Rusty.

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