Lighthouse Beach Port Macquarie Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the next couple of weeks for our local stretch. To be honest, the first few days are a bit of a write-off, but once we get past the middle of the week, there’s some real promise on the horizon. The water temp is sittin’ pretty average for this time of year, so nothin’ wild there to worry about.

We’re startin’ off at Lighthouse Beach Port Macquarie on Wednesday the 29th of July, and it’s flat as a tack. Swell’s barely a whisper at 1 foot from the south, period a weak 9 seconds, and the combined energy is a measly 28. Wind’s light and cross-off in the morning, but the surf’s just too small to bother. Afternoon doesn’t get any better—2 feet from the ENE with a 6-second period and onshore wind. Nothin’ doin’.

Thursday the 30th shows a bit more oomph, but it’s messy. Morning swell picks up to 2 feet from the SSE with a long 12-second period, and the energy jumps to 218, but it’s a cross-shore wind and the report says it’s marginal. By afternoon, the swell rises to 6 feet from the south, period 10 seconds, energy 783, but that onshore wind at 12 mph chops it up somethin’ fierce. Not worth paddlin’ out.

Friday the 31st has a similar story. Morning brings 6 feet from the south, 11-second period, energy 721, with a light cross-shore wind. It’s surfable but not great—score’s a 2. Afternoon’s the same size but the wind swings onshore and turns it into a mess. Saturday the 1st of August is more of the same: 5 feet and 5 feet from the SSE, periods around 10 seconds, but the wind keeps it from cleanin’ up. Sunday morning the 2nd is where it starts to get interesting.

Sunday morning, August 2nd – This is the first real standout. Lighthouse Beach sees 5 feet of swell from the SSE, 11-second period, and the wind goes glassy—dead calm out of the NNW at 3 mph. The energy is 546, which is a solid moderate pulse. The report says expect very good surf conditions. This is your window. Clean, lined-up waves, no bump. It’s a beach break, but with that period it’ll have some shape. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Monday the 3rd mornin’ is still decent—4 feet from the SE, 10-second period, cross-off wind, clean. Energy’s at 301. Good fun, but not the standout. After that, Tuesday the 4th drops right off to tiny 1 feet, and Wednesday the 5th has a glassy mornin’ but only 3 feet from the south. It’s ordinary.

Now, Friday morning, August 7th – This is the other big one. Swell jumps to 6 feet from the SSE, 10-second period, energy 728, and it’s dead glassy with a SSW wind at 3 mph. The report says expect very good surf conditions again. That’s a solid, powerful wave for intermediates and above—over 5 feet, so beginners might find it a handful. But for the crew lookin’ for a push, this is the session. Saturday mornin’ the 8th is still good with 5 feet and glassy, but Friday’s the pick.

The second week tails off a bit. Sunday the 9th is small and messy, Monday the 10th has a glassy mornin’ with 4 feet from the NE but a short 7-second period, so it’ll be a bit weak. Tuesday the 11th is tiny, and Wednesday the 12th is blown out. Thursday morning, August 13th closes things out with a glassy 5 feet from the SSE, 8-second period, energy 253—surfable, clean waves to finish the run.

So, the two standouts are Sunday morning, August 2nd and Friday morning, August 7th at Lighthouse Beach. Both have glassy conditions, solid swell, and good energy. The first one’s a bit smaller (5 feet) and more accessible, the second one (6 feet) has more grunt for the experienced. The gaps at the start mean you’re waitin’ until Thursday/Friday for anything, but once it comes, it’s worth it.

Rusty.

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