La Caffrine Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming for La Caffrine. This is a beginner-friendly spot that’s fairly consistent, exposed to the south-west swell, and it’s going to give us a proper run of waves over the next couple of weeks. The water is sitting at 76° – a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, which is a nice bonus.

We’ve got a big gap before anything really gets going, but from Monday 20 July the surf starts to show. Monday morning kicks off with a clean 8ft SSW groundswell, period 14 seconds, and the wind is absolutely glassy – zero wind. That’s as good as it gets for clean conditions. The combined swell energy is pumping at 2514 (strong) – there’s a lot of power in the water. This is a standout window for experienced surfers, as the size is well over 8ft, so it’s a big one.

The swell holds through Tuesday 21 July, dropping a touch to 7ft with a 12-second period, still glassy in the morning and calm in the afternoon. The energy is still strong at 1293. Beautiful conditions for the more confident crew.

Wednesday 22 July sees the swell back off to 6ft, but the wind swings cross-shore and picks up a bit, making it a bit lumpy. Thursday 23 July is smaller again at 5ft, and the wind is cross-off, keeping things clean but the energy down to moderate (975). Not the best.

Then Friday 24 July into Saturday 25 July brings a cleaner, smaller SW groundswell. Friday morning has 4ft with a long 15-second period, and the wind is cross-off, giving clean waves. The energy is moderate (1084). Saturday morning is even smaller at 4ft, but still clean. These are more mellow days for the less experienced.

Sunday 26 July is a bit messy – a long-period SSW groundswell (21 seconds) but the wind is cross and cross-on, making for uneven waves. The energy is moderate (995) but not great quality.

Now, Monday 27 July is a massive standout but it’s a warning: the swell jumps to 13ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is through the roof at 8407 (very strong). The wind is light cross-shore, but the forecast says the swell is too big for this break. This is absolutely for experts only, and even then, it’s pushing the limits. Tuesday 28 July is still huge at 10ft, energy at 6224 – again, too big for the break.

Wednesday 29 July sees the swell drop to 7ft, and the wind goes glassy in the morning – that’s a good reset. The energy is strong (2531). Thursday 30 July is also glassy and clean with a 7ft SSE swell, energy at 2332. Nice.

Friday 31 July has a glassy morning with a 4ft, 19-second SSW groundswell – that’s a very long-period groundswell, which will be better at reefs and points, but on a beach break it can be a bit straight. The energy is strong (2093). The afternoon picks up to 6ft with a cross-shore wind, so the morning is the pick.

Saturday 1 August is calm and glassy in the morning with a 6ft SSW swell, 15-second period, energy at 1530. Clean and solid.

Sunday 2 August is another glassy day, with a 6ft to 6ft SSW groundswell, long period (18-19 seconds), and energy climbing to 2850. This is a strong, clean option.

And then Monday 3 August is the real standout of the second week. The swell is 8ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, and the wind is glassy in the morning. The combined energy is 3207 (very strong). This is a top-quality session for experienced surfers. Tuesday 4 August is still solid at 8ft but the wind goes cross-shore, so the quality drops off.

Overall, the best of the best is Monday 20 July for the sheer power and glass, and then Monday 3 August for the same reason. For the less experienced, the mornings of Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July are your clean, smaller windows. The huge swell on 27-28 July is too big for this break, so stay safe.

Rusty.

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