Kadu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about what’s coming. It’s been a bit quiet, but there’s a run of quality surf heading our way from Monday morning, July 20th, all the way through to the end of the month. Don’t expect much right now, but by the time you’re reading this, the waves are about to turn on.

We’ll start at Kadu, a reef break that’s open to the south. The swell is small but sweet to start, with a 2ft SSW swell running on Monday morning, but the wind is a bit cross. The afternoon cleans up though, with a 2ft SSW swell, light cross-off breeze, and a very long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the water temp is about average for the time of year. The combined energy is moderate (336), so it’s not a powerhouse, but it’s clean. The real standout will be Tuesday, July 21st. Glassy conditions in the morning with a 2ft SSW swell, 14-second period – that’s a dreamy start. The afternoon stays clean with a 3ft swell. The energy is still moderate (310-323), but the glassy dawn patrol is the best on offer early on. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so get in early.

Wednesday the 22nd brings a slight shift. The swell drops to 4ft from the SSE with a shorter 9-second period, but with clear skies and light cross-off winds, it’s still clean and fun. The energy builds a little (227-242). Thursday and Friday, July 23rd and 24th, are where it gets better. We’re seeing offshore winds from the NW, 4-4ft SSE swell, and the energy climbs into the moderate range (336-376). The morning sessions are going to be clean, lined up, and easy to paddle into. The 9-second period keeps it punchy, but it’s not too wild.

Now, here’s the big stretch. Saturday, July 25th, through Sunday, July 26th, the swell really starts to ramp up. Saturday morning is 3ft SSW with a 13-second period, but the energy is already strong (413). By Saturday afternoon, we’re looking at a 4ft SE swell, 11-second period, and the energy jumps to 499 – that’s solid. Sunday the 26th is the standout. Clear skies, light cross-off wind, 4ft SE swell with a 10-second period, and the combined energy hits 655. That’s moderate to strong wave energy. The waves will have push, shape, and clean faces. This is the best of the run. If you only paddle out once, make it Sunday morning.

Monday the 27th is still good, but the wind goes a bit cross, making it a little bumpy. The swell holds at 4-4ft SE, but the conditions are a bit more marginal. By Tuesday the 28th, the wind stays cross, and the energy drops. From Wednesday the 29th onward, we’re into a different story. A very long-period 19-second S swell arrives on Wednesday afternoon, with a 3ft swell height but the energy jumps to 676. That’s a lot of energy for a small wave – it’s going to be a bit weird, maybe fat and walled up at reef breaks. The wind picks up to 12 mph, so it’s clean but choppy.

Thursday, July 30th, is a big one. A 5ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1681. That’s very strong. But the wind is 9-12 mph cross-off, so it’s clean. This swell is for experienced surfers only – that’s over 5ft and packing a lot of power. The long period will make it better at the reef, but it’s not for beginners. The rest of the week into August stays energetic, with swells around 4-4ft from the SSW, but the wind stays moderate, and the conditions are marginal. By August 3rd and 4th, the swell is still 4-5ft from the SSE, but winds are gusty and cross, and the risk of thunderstorms is there. The surf quality drops off.

Overall, the best windows are Tuesday morning, July 21st, for glassy perfection, and Sunday, July 26th, for the best combination of swell size, energy, and clean conditions. After that, it’s still surfable, but the quality is less consistent. The second week is more of a wait-and-see – the energy is there, but the wind and weather make it less reliable.

That’s your lot. Keep your eyes on the horizon, and the wax on your board.

Rusty

Read more