Lake Ferry Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Lake Ferry is the only spot on the table for this 16-day run, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. This is a sandbar set-up that’s exposed to the south, so when it lines up, it can hold some serious energy. Right now, the water’s sitting at 52°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – a solid 2° chillier than average, so you’ll want a good thick steamer.

The action kicks off this Friday, July 17, with a clean 5ft SSW swell pushing in on a 14-second period. The morning’s got a light NE breeze blowing offshore, making for excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The combined energy is moderate at 1082. That afternoon turns glassy with no wind, same 5ft swell but a longer 15-second period (942 energy). It’s clean, but the period is long enough that at a beach-sandbar setup, it might be a bit straight, so keep that in mind.

Saturday the 18th starts clean again with a 4ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and a light NNW cross-off wind (1237 energy). Solid. The afternoon jumps to 7ft from the SSW with a very long 22-second period – that’s groundswell territory – and the energy is strong at 4197. But the wind goes cross, and the surf is marginal for this break. That’s a lot of juice for a sandbar; it might be too big and too straight, so only for the experienced crew.

Sunday the 19th is a standout. Morning brings 6ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions (1909 energy). That is clean, powerful, and well-shaped for those who can handle it. The afternoon stays clean enough with 6ft and a cross wind, but the morning is the call.

Monday the 20th morning is excellent: 6ft SSW swell, 14-second period, cross-off wind from the east (2201 energy). Clean. The afternoon though… 10ft from the SSW with a 19-second period, and the energy is extreme at 5316. The forecast says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert-only, if even that.

Tuesday the 21st morning sees 7ft from the south, 14-second period, with a nice offshore NNE breeze (1543 energy). Clean and punchy for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit windier with NNW winds at 12 mph, but still clean.

From Wednesday the 22nd onward, things drop off significantly. The 22nd morning has 4ft SSW swell, 12-second period, glassy, but the energy is only 427 – weak. The rest of that week and into the next just fades. There’s a gap from the 23rd through the 25th where it’s mostly poor or ordinary, with small swell and onshore winds. The 24th afternoon has a weird spike of 8ft SSW swell, but it’s only 7-second period, so short and lumpy.

The 26th of July offers a bit of hope: Sunday morning with 5ft from the south, 8-second period, and a light offshore NNE breeze (642 energy). Clean, but that short period means it’ll be a bit mushy. The afternoon is similar.

From the 27th through the 29th, it’s mostly poor, with small swell and fresh winds. The 30th of July morning has a 7ft SSW swell, but it’s short-period (8 seconds) and the wind is strong cross-off at 16 mph – marginal at best. The 31st and into August 1st are all ordinary, with small swell and poor conditions.

The best on offer is clearly Sunday the 19th morning, with that 6ft SSW groundswell and glassy conditions. Monday the 20th morning is also a cracker if you want a bit more size (6ft) and cross-off wind. After that, the second week is thin and uncertain, with nothing really standing out. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this run has a good few days at the start, then a long quiet spell. It tends not to stay poor for long, but for now, the window is the first four days.

Rusty.

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