Johanna Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got one spot on the radar for this whole stretch, and it’s a classic.

The main event is Johanna, a beach and point setup that’s exposed to the swell. It’s a very consistent wave, so it’s always trying to fire, but the wind and size are going to be the real story here. This place is for intermediate and up, and when it gets big, it’s strictly for the experienced crew.

We kick off Sunday, the 19th of July. The morning is looking clean with a light breeze, and you’ve got a 5 ft swell from the WSW with a 12-second period. The combined energy is pumping at a solid 1195 (moderate wave energy). The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The wind is cross-off, so the waves will have some shape. It’s not perfect, but it’s very good. The afternoon cleans up even more with a light offshore wind from the North, making the 5 ft swell look real inviting. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Monday the 20th is a step up in size. The morning brings a 7 ft swell with a very long 16-second period. This is a groundswell, and while it’s got serious energy (2189), that long period can make things a bit straight at the beach, but the point might handle it beautifully. The wind is a moderate cross-off, so it’s clean. The afternoon settles back to 5 ft with a 15-second period and a gentler breeze. This is the better session of the day.

Tuesday the 21st is where it gets proper. We’re looking at 8 ft from the WSW with a 13-second period all day. This is pushing into that “experts only” territory. The combined energy is massive (2587 in the morning, 2117 in the afternoon). It’s a lot of power, but the wind is a clean cross-off all day. If you’ve got the balls, the point will be offering up some heavy, long walls.

Now, Wednesday the 22nd is where things start to go sideways. The swell is still 8 ft in the morning, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds, and the wind is a strong cross-off. The energy is still there (1178), but the short period makes it choppy and weak. The afternoon turns into a mess: 10 ft swell with a strong cross-onshore wind at 19 mph. This is poor, lumpy, and not worth a paddle.

Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are a write-off. We’re talking massive, dangerous swell—18 ft to 21 ft—with screaming cross-onshore and cross-shore winds. The combined energy hits 9608 and then 13720. This is not surfable; it’s a washing machine. For the experienced, the sheer size might be a spectacle, but the conditions are foul.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a slow improvement. The swell drops to 15 ft, then 12 ft, but the wind is still onshore or cross-shore, keeping it messy. The 26th morning has a clean cross-off at 12 ft with a 11-second period and energy of 2647, but it’s still marginal. The afternoon gets smashed by a 25 mph cross-shore wind.

The following week, from Monday the 27th through to the end of the month, we’re in a cleanup phase. Swells are in the 6 ft to 8 ft range, but the wind is a problem. There are some clean windows with cross-off winds, like on the 28th morning (8 ft, 13-second period, clean) and the 30th afternoon (6 ft, 12-second period, gentle breeze). These are “marginal” but rideable. The energy is lower, around 1235 to 2607.

The first few days of August look promising but are a long way out. The 3rd of August is the standout in the second week. The morning shows a 7 ft swell from the WSW with a very long 19-second period, combined energy of 4309, and a clean cross-off wind. The afternoon bumps to 10 ft with an 18-second period, even more energy (5327), and clean conditions. That’s a serious, long-range groundswell that could make the point absolutely firing. But it’s a week and a half away, so keep your fingers crossed.

Best Bet: Tuesday the 21st of July, morning or afternoon, for the big, powerful, clean swell at Johanna. It’s heavy, but it’s the best on offer. The Monday the 20th afternoon is a close second for a slightly smaller, cleaner wave.

Rusty.

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