L Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

First thing’s first: the outlook for L Jetty is a tough one. We’re looking at a 16-day window, but the start is a real grind. From Friday, the 31st of July, right through to the morning of Monday, the 3rd of August, the swell is small and messy, with cross-shore winds that’ll put a chop on the surface. It’s basically a write-off. You’re looking at swell heights between 1ft and 3ft, with periods that are short and weak—the combined energy is only in the 20s and 30s for most of it. Not worth paddling out for.

The first real flicker of hope comes on Monday afternoon, the 3rd of August. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the SSE, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 291 (moderate wave energy), and the wind shifts to a cross-offshore breeze from the SSW. That’s a clean setup. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” and for L Jetty, that’s the standout window. The water temp is sitting at 74°F with a 1°F anomaly, so it’s about average for this time of year—nothing wild.

However, 5ft is getting into the territory where it might be a bit much for beginners. For the rest of us, it’s a solid option. The swell direction is SSE, which is close to the optimum ESE direction listed for this spot, so it’ll wrap in decently. Just keep in mind that L Jetty is a beach/jetty setup, and it can get crowded—the guidance says “often,” so expect company.

After that Monday session, the week gets patchy again. Tuesday the 4th drops back to 3ft with cross-on winds, and Wednesday the 5th is a wash with light rain and cross-shore breezes. Thursday morning the 6th sees a bit of a pulse with 3ft from the S and a clean cross-off wind, but the energy is only 131, and the waves are described as “surfable but very ordinary.” Not a stunner.

The second week, from the 9th of August onward, is bleak. The swell stays small, mostly under 3ft, with a mix of cross and onshore winds. The combined energy rarely kicks above 100. By the 12th, we’re down to 1ft with a 5-second period from the ESE—barely a ripple. The wind does go offshore on the 12th morning, but there’s no swell to work with.

So, the honest truth: the one standout is Monday afternoon, the 3rd of August, with that 5ft SSE swell and clean cross-off wind. That’s your best bet. The rest of the forecast is a long, flat spell. If you’re desperate, the Thursday morning sessions on the 6th and 7th might give you a knee-high wave, but it’s a grind. For kite surfers, some of the stronger wind days might be more interesting than paddle surfing.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the charts. The season can turn quickly.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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