Kanaha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and ordinary for the most part. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing special, but there’s a tiny glimmer of hope right at the very end of the 16-day window. Let’s break it down.

Right now, and for the bulk of the next fortnight, the surf is just not cooperating. From Sunday the 12th right through to late July, we’re looking at a whole lot of small, weak, short-period windswell. The energy is low, with combined swell energy readings mostly in the 100 to 300 range (moderate wave energy at best, but often just weak). The waves are around 3ft to 4ft, coming from the ENE, with a poor period of only 6 to 8 seconds. That’s just windchop, not proper surf. The wind is mostly a cross-off breeze, which keeps things clean, but there’s just no power. It’s a marginal, surfable-but-forgettable kind of vibe. The water temp is hanging around 79°, which is about average for the time of year.

The only break on the radar is Kanaha, a reef setup. It’s fairly consistent, which is nice, but all that consistency is giving us is small, weak waves. The swell direction is ENE, but the optimum for this spot is NNE, so we’re already fighting an angle. For a few days in the middle, like Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th, the conditions actually get rated as poor. The combined swell energy drops into the 100s (135 to 183), and the period dips to a terrible 6 to 7 seconds. It’s not worth getting wet for.

Now, there is one interesting blip at the very end. On Monday the 27th of July, the morning shows a little pulse of cleaner energy. The swell is still small at 3ft, but it’s coming from the east with a *very long period* of 15 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy for that morning jumps up to 513 (strong wave energy). The wind is a light cross-shore from the NNE at only 3 mph, which is almost glassy. That afternoon, the period drops slightly to 14 seconds, but the wind swings to a light cross-off, also at 3 mph. This is the standout period. The caveat for a long period swell like this at a reef break is that it can get a bit straight and walled, but it’s still the best chance for a wave with some actual shape and push. It’s a long way out, so don’t set your alarm yet, but it’s the only real hope on the board.

Other than that, the 25th and 26th have some small swell but the wind goes cross-shore, adding chop. It’s a poor run for a long stretch, so if you’re itching to paddle, keep an eye on that last Monday. Forecasts can always change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more