Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid run of swell lining up at Jacobs Bay, but you’ll need to pick your moments. The water is sitting at 57.6°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – nothing crazy, but you’ll want a good wetsuit.

The first real action kicks off Thursday morning, 23 July. It’s a bit cloudy with a fresh 18.6 mph crosswind from the north, making things lumpy. The swell is 6.6 ft from the SW with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (1103). Not the cleanest start, but by Thursday afternoon the wind drops to a light 6.2 mph from the NNW, swinging cross-on. The swell eases a touch to 5.6 ft, still from the WSW, and the energy stays moderate (1249). It’s a bit scrappy, but you can get wet.

Now, Friday 24 July – that’s the standout. The wind is magic: early morning, it’s a clean cross-offshore from the SE at just 3.1 mph. The swell jumps to 11.5 ft from the SW, with a long 14-second period. That’s groundswell, and the energy is strong (4968). This is going to be a proper session, but heads up – 11.5 ft is expert territory, especially at a beach break like Jacobs Bay. The long period means it’ll be a bit straight and powerful, but the wind is so clean. The afternoon stays solid with 9.8 ft and the same period, but the wind picks up to 12.4 mph from the south, making it a bit cross-chop. Still, the morning is the pick of the whole outlook.

Saturday 25 July morning is also worth a mention. It’s clean again with a cross-offshore SE breeze at 9.3 mph. The swell is 5.9 ft from the SW, 13-second period, and the energy is moderate (2011). Good for experienced surfers, and the waves will have shape. The afternoon gets a bit more cross-chop, so aim for the early session.

Sunday 26 July morning has a pure offshore from the east at 6.2 mph, clean conditions. Swell is 6.9 ft from the SW, 11-second period, energy moderate (1356). That’s a fun, manageable size for a lot of surfers.

From Monday 27 July the wind gets ugly. A fresh 21.7 mph SSE cross-offshore on Monday morning, then a near gale 31.1 mph on Monday afternoon. The swell is 13.1 ft on Monday afternoon with a short 8-second period – that’s a messy, blown-out mess. Tuesday and Wednesday are also windy, with 15.5-24.9 mph winds. The swell stays big, but the conditions are marginal at best. For a few days, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

We get a bit of a window on the morning of Friday 31 July. Light offshore from the ESE at 6.2 mph, clean conditions. The swell is down to 3.6 ft from the SW, 13-second period, energy low (434). It’s a small, clean, fun wave. That same pattern continues into Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August mornings – small, clean, light winds. The standout in this second week is actually the morning of Monday 3 August. Light 6.2 mph SE cross-offshore, 2.6 ft from the WSW, but the period is 14 seconds, and the energy is moderate (587). That’s a glassy, long-period wave that will reel off nicely for a longboard or a fish.

But hold on – the real dark horse pops up on Tuesday 4 August. The morning is a bit onshore from the WNW at 3.1 mph, with 8.2 ft from the SW, 13-second period. The score is decent, but the afternoon is where it gets interesting. Light 6.2 mph onshore wind, but the swell jumps to 9.8 ft from the SW with a very long 16-second period. The energy is very strong (5504). That’s a heavy, clean groundswell. Wednesday 5 August morning is massive: 13.1 ft from the SW, 18-second period, cross-shore 15.5 mph wind. The energy is extreme (10719). That’s for the brave only. The afternoon is still 13.1 ft with a 16-second period, but cleaner cross-offshore wind. Again, experts only.

The run of big, clean swell continues through Thursday 6 August (9.8 ft, 15-second period) before the wind picks up again on Friday 7 August.

So, the true standouts: Friday 24 July morning – clean, 11.5 ft SW groundswell, glassy cross-offshore wind. That’s the session of the month. And for the second week, Tuesday 4 August afternoon – 9.8 ft SW with a 16-second period, light wind, powerful but clean. That’s a serious option if you’ve got the skill.

Crowds at Jacobs Bay are listed as “sometimes” busy, so you might get a few others out, but nothing like a packed lineup.

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