Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the Jetty. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a pretty grim outlook for the next two weeks. The waves are just not cooperating, and the wind is a constant problem.

The Jetty is a breakwater setup that can handle a south-southeast swell, and it’s usually pretty consistent. But for this entire stretch, it’s just bad news. The water’s sitting at 72°F, and that’s pretty much bang on normal for the time of year, so no surprises there.

We’re starting off on Friday, the 31st of July, and it’s already a no-go. Tiny swell of 2ft from the SSE, but with a cross-onshore wind from the SW at 12 mph, it’s just choppy and messy. The combined energy is a weak 76, and the wave comment says it all: poor surf conditions. This sets the tone for the whole run.

Through the weekend and into next week, we see a bit more size, but the wind won’t let up. Saturday the 1st of August stays small and cross-onshore. Sunday the 2nd is even smaller, with an onshore wind straight from the south. The energy is pitiful, in the 40s.

Now, Monday the 3rd of August and Tuesday the 4th of August see a bit of a pulse. The swell bumps up to 5ft to 6ft from the SSE, and the energy climbs into the 200s and 500s (521 on Tuesday morning) – that’s moderate to strong energy. But it’s all short-period windswell (7 to 8 seconds), so it’s going to be a bouncy, weak mess. And again, that cross-onshore wind is ruining any chance of a clean face. The surf quality is still rated as poor.

The rest of the first week and into the second week is a relentless grind of small, choppy, and onshore conditions. The swell dips back below 3ft, and the energy follows suit, mostly in the double digits or low triple digits. Winds are consistently from the SW or SSW, keeping it cross-onshore and lumpy. We get a few brief moments of "clean" conditions on the 12th and 13th of August, but the swell is tiny (2ft to 3ft) and the energy is too low to make anything of it.

The only standout, if you can call it that, is a few days into the second week. On the 12th of August, Wednesday morning, the wind shifts to a light cross-offshore from the north. The swell is a weak 3ft from the SSW, but the energy is a moderate 145, and the conditions are described as "clean." It’s not a day to get excited about, but it’s the best of a very bad bunch. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window. After that, it’s back to the same old story of small, weak, and choppy surf right through to the 15th of August.

Honestly, for this stretch, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The wind is consistent, but the waves are just not worth the effort. Keep your board in the car and wait for a better forecast.

Rusty.

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