Lyall Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – Lyall Bay’s kicking off a bit flat, but there’s a couple of proper windows to keep an eye on.

We start with a real slow patch. The first bit of surf worth paddling out for is a clean, small south-southwest swell on Sunday, 12 July. It’s only 3 feet with a 12-second period, but the wind is light and offshore from the north-northeast, so the lines will be clean. The water’s sitting at 54°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. Don’t expect much power though – the combined energy is only 284 (moderate at best). It’s inconsistent here, and crowds are possible, so keep your eyes peeled.

Monday, 13 July, the wind cranks up from the north-northwest, and the swell drops to 1 feet. That’s a write-off. Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s the same story – tiny, weak swell with strong offshore winds that make it hard to paddle into. The energy numbers are pitiful (12 to 38). Not worth your time.

Thursday, 16 July, the wind swings onshore from the south-southeast, and the swell is tiny and messy. Forget it.

Now, Friday, 17 July – here’s a glimmer. The morning’s a bit dicey with a fresh north-northwest wind, but the afternoon cleans up: light offshore breeze from the northwest, and a 3-foot east-southeast swell with a 16-second period. The energy jumps to 519 (moderate to strong). That’s a nice, clean groundswell for the afternoon. Not a stand-out, but a solid little session.

Saturday, 18 July, gets messy again with onshore winds and a building south-southwest swell that’s too strong for the wind conditions. The energy hits 2065 (strong) but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy – no good for paddling, maybe more for kite surfers.

Sunday, 19 July, the swell is big and clean – 8 feet from the south, period 18 seconds, with a cross-offshore northwesterly. That’s a serious groundswell, but the energy is 3524 (very strong). This is expert territory only. The wind is strong, making it a mission.

Monday, 20 July, the swell drops to 6 feet from the south, but the wind is light onshore. It’s marginal.

Now for the stand-out. Tuesday, 21 July. This is the one. The morning is clean with a light east-northeast cross-offshore breeze, and the swell is 6 feet from the south, 16-second period. The energy is 1642 (strong). Then the afternoon is glassy – no wind at all – with a 7-foot south swell at 15 seconds and energy hitting 2133 (very strong). This is excellent for experienced surfers. The crowd situation is possible, but with conditions this good, you’ll want to be out there. The setup is a beach break, so that long-period groundswell might break a bit straight, but the glassy surface will make up for it.

Wednesday, 22 July, holds good surf too – 4 feet south swell in the morning, building to 6 feet east-southeast in the afternoon, with gentle offshore winds. The energy is 678 to 801 (moderate to strong). A solid follow-up day.

Thursday, 23 July, is similar – 6 feet east-southeast swell, 10-second period, with light offshore winds. Energy at 1197 (strong). Clean and fun.

From Friday, 24 July, the wind picks up again, and the swell drops. The energy fades through the weekend, and by Monday, 27 July, it’s back to flat and onshore. The window closes.

So, bottom line: your best bet is Tuesday, 21 July – glassy, solid south swell for experienced surfers. Friday, 17 July afternoon is a good warm-up. Don’t bother with the rest.

Rusty.

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