Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf coming for Jacobs Bay over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a decent run of swell, but the wind and size will dictate where you paddle. The water temp is about normal for this time of year.

First up, Tuesday the 21st of July. Morning’s looking good with a 2.0m (7ft) SSW groundswell, period a solid 14 seconds, and light cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is pumping at 1690 (moderate to strong). That’s clean, decent shape, but at 7ft, it’s not a beginner wave – more for the experienced crew. The afternoon turns average, with the wind swinging onshore and the swell bumping to 2.5m (8ft), making it choppy and messy. Not worth it.

Wednesday the 22nd is a ripper of a morning. Glassy conditions, 2.2m (7ft) SW groundswell, 12-second period, and the energy is a solid 1447. That’s clean, smooth, and the offshore wind out of the NNW will have the waves holding up nicely. Again, 7ft is getting into proper territory, so know your limits. Afternoon turns a bit weird with cross-onshore wind, so the morning is the clear call.

Thursday the 23rd is a write-off. Strong northerly winds, lumpy chop, and messy conditions. The swell is there but it’s not worth paddling out for. Friday the 24th is a strange one. The morning has a 3.5m (12ft) SW groundswell, 15-second period, and the combined energy is 5233 – that’s very strong. The wind is light and cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but that’s just too big for Jacobs Bay. This is expert-only, and even then, it’s a big ask. Leave it for the tow crew.

Saturday the 25th is a nice come-down. Morning sees 1.9m (6ft) SSW groundswell, 13-second period, and clean conditions with cross-offshore wind. Energy is 2390 (strong). That’s a solid, fun day for any experienced surfer. The afternoon stays clean but a touch smaller. Sunday the 26th is another glassy morning, 2.0m (7ft) SW, 12-second period, energy at 1331. Clean, smooth, and the wind is dead calm. That’s a beauty.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th are pretty average. The wind is howling from the south, making things choppy and lumpy. The swell is there but it’s not going to be fun. The morning of Tuesday the 28th has a 2.1m (7ft) SW swell and 14-second period, but with 40 km/h (25 mph) winds, it’s a battle. Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th keep the swell around 2.2m to 2.4m (7ft to 8ft), SW direction, with a 13 to 14-second period. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the energy is high (around 2500 to 3000), meaning it’s powerful. These are mornings for the experienced crew only.

Now, Friday the 31st of July is a bit of a letdown. The morning has a 1.9m (6ft) WSW groundswell, 15-second period, but the wind is getting up, and the afternoon turns into a complete washout with onshore wind and chop. Then the first weekend of August, Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd, look promising. Saturday morning has a 2.4m (8ft) SW groundswell, 16-second period – that’s a very long, powerful groundswell. Combined energy is 2881. The wind is light and cross-offshore, so it’s clean. Sunday the 2nd is glassy again, with a 2.5m (8ft) WSW groundswell, 14-second period. These are both proper sessions for the experienced, with the caveat that a long period swell like that can break a bit straight on a beach break, but Jacobs Bay handles it well.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th of August keep the swell around 2.2m to 1.9m (7ft to 6ft), with clean mornings and cross-offshore wind. Good, solid, consistent surf. The best of the lot? I’d have to say the mornings of Wednesday the 22nd of July and Sunday the 2nd of August. Both are glassy, with solid groundswell, clean conditions, and plenty of power. The Wednesday morning is a standout for its perfect conditions, and the Sunday morning is a standout for the size and that long period energy. Get on it.

That’s the rundown. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Read more