Lake Ferry Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks at Lake Ferry are a real mixed bag, a proper test of patience. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, then a window of decent, clean surf, followed by a wall of chocolate-brown, out-of-control swell that’s only for the brave. And there’s a big flat spell in the middle there too, so don’t go getting your hopes up for a daily dawn patrol.

The first few days are pretty marginal. Saturday the 8th kicks off with a 5ft south swell, but the cross-off breeze keeps it a bit messy. The water’s sitting at 52°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – throw an extra layer on. Sunday the 9th drops off quickly, and by Monday the 10th it’s pretty much gone, with a short-period, onshore slop. Not worth the drive.

We get a little blip of hope on Tuesday the 11th. The morning is small, but the afternoon turns glassy with a 3ft south-southeast swell. It’s tiny, but it’s clean. That’s about it for that pulse, because Wednesday through Friday is a proper flat spell – a few days of nothing worth paddling out for. Patience, mate.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday the 16th sees a long-period groundswell roll in, with a 2ft south-southwest swell at 19 seconds. The morning is clean with a light offshore breeze, and the energy is moderate (363). It’s small, but the quality is there. Then, Sunday the 17th is the standout. The morning brings an 8ft south-southwest swell with a period of 8 seconds, and the afternoon cleans up to glassy with 7ft of the same. The combined energy is strong (905 and 1123). This is proper, powerful surf. The period is short, so it won’t be walled-up and perfect, but there’ll be plenty of push. This is one for experienced surfers only – 8ft is well over the beginner mark. The swell direction is right on the money for this spot.

Hold on, though, because Monday the 18th turns to shit in a hurry. The wind swings onshore and the surf gets messy. Then Tuesday the 19th is a monster. The forecast is for an 18ft south-southwest swell with huge energy (7120 and 8603). That is way, way too big for this break. It’ll be a washing machine – definitely not a paddle-surf day. You’d need a jet ski and a death wish. The wind is light, but the size is just insane. This continues into Wednesday the 20th with an 12ft swell, still too big and with onshore winds.

After that chaos, it settles down. Thursday the 21st is a gem – glassy conditions with a 7ft south swell. It’s still solid, but much more manageable. Friday the 22nd is also good, with a clean 5ft south-southeast swell in the morning and a slightly smaller 5ft in the afternoon. These two days are your best bets for a proper, fun session without getting pounded into the sand. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might get a few others out, but it shouldn’t be a zoo.

The final couple of days, Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th, taper off back to small, ordinary conditions. A bit of a letdown after the mid-week chaos, but that’s the ocean for you.

So, to wrap it up: don’t bother with the first week. The standout is definitely Sunday the 17th for the size and power, but only if you’re a solid surfer. For the rest of us, the Thursday the 21st and Friday the 22nd window is the one to circle. It’s promising, but remember this is a long-range call, so don’t book the time off just yet.

Stay salty.

Rusty.

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