Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve had a proper look at what’s coming our way. It’s a mixed bag, but there’s a solid window of clean surf if you’re patient and pick the right windows.

The first real action kicks off Tuesday, July 28th at Jacobs Bay. This is a beginner-friendly spot, but don’t get too excited straight away. Tuesday morning serves up a solid 7.5 ft SW swell (14-second period), but the wind is a cross-offshore SE breeze at 15 mph. The water is sitting at 57.9°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. The swell energy is pumping hard (2717), but the conditions are only marginal – the tide and wind combo aren’t quite locking it in. The afternoon is much the same story.

Wednesday, July 29th is where things start to look up. The morning brings a cleaner 5.9 ft SW swell (13 seconds) with a proper offshore breeze from the ENE at 6 mph. This is what we want – clean, lined-up waves for experienced surfers. The energy is still strong (1238), and the wind is light, making for a much better session. The afternoon turns cross-shore, so morning is the call.

Thursday, July 30th offers a glassy morning with 5.2 ft SW swell (13 seconds) – that’s a real treat. The wind is dead calm from the ENE, and the water is flat as a mirror. The energy is dropping (885), but for a peaceful, clean session, it’s a winner. The afternoon goes cross-shore, so get in early.

Friday, July 31st is clean again in the morning with a gentle offshore ESE breeze at 9 mph and 4.3 ft SW swell (12 seconds). The energy is moderate (492), but it’s tidy. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-offshore wind.

Saturday, August 1st shapes up as a standout morning. The swell is a clean 4.6 ft from the SW (14 seconds) with a light cross-offshore NE breeze. The energy is moderate (726) but the conditions are described as “very good.” The wind is light, the waves are clean – this is a solid option for a weekend surf.

Sunday, August 2nd is a bit of a write-off with a cross-shore N wind picking up to 12 mph, making for a lumpy, messy surf. The morning is best avoided.

Now, the real highlight is Monday, August 3rd. The morning delivers a glassy 7.9 ft WSW swell (14 seconds) with zero wind. That’s a big, clean, powerful swell for experienced surfers. The energy is huge (2250), and the offshore wind is perfect. This is the best wave on offer in the whole forecast – a proper session for the crew who can handle it. The afternoon goes cross-shore, so it’s a morning mission.

Tuesday, August 4th is a step down – 5.9 ft SW swell, but a cross-shore S wind keeps it average. The energy is moderate (907).

Wednesday, August 5th sees a big jump in size, with 8.2 ft SW swell (15 seconds) but a strong cross-shore N wind at 22 mph. The energy is massive (3018), but the wind is lumpy and messy – this is more for the kite crowd or experts only. The afternoon pushes 9.8 ft, but the wind is still cross-shore from the NNW. It’s too big for Jacobs Bay, so only the brave need apply.

The rest of the run from August 6th onwards is dominated by big, powerful swells (9.8 ft to 11.5 ft) but with poor wind conditions, cross-onshore or cross-shore breezes, and building energy (up to 6929). It’s a heavy, unruly ocean for experts only. Monday, August 10th has a morning window with 8.2 ft S swell (8-second period, so short period) and a light cross-offshore NNE breeze – the energy is strong (1532), but the short period means it’ll be a bit crumbly and less powerful. Tuesday, August 11th morning is similar with a clean 8.2 ft SW swell (13 seconds) and light cross-offshore winds, though the afternoon explodes to 11.5 ft with a 17-second period (6929 energy) – that’s a monster groundswell, best for a reef or point break, but too big for Jacobs Bay.

The long-range (second week) is all about very large, powerful swells with periods over 15 seconds, but the wind is rarely on your side. The standout remains Monday, August 3rd for the clean, glassy conditions, and Saturday, August 1st for a smaller, more manageable clean session.

Read more