Manly-South Steyne Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Manly-South Steyne. It’s a bit of a slow start, but the second week is looking like a real storm-chaser’s dream.

The first few days are a write-off, I’m not gonna lie. From Tuesday the 21st all the way through to Thursday the 23rd, we’ve got nothing but tiny, weak waves. The swell is barely cracking 2 feet, and it’s coming from the south with a short period that just doesn’t have any punch. The combined energy is laughable, sitting at a measly 62 (moderate wave energy) on Tuesday morning, and dropping right off. It’s a real flat spell for the reef.

Then, out of nowhere, Friday the 24th morning brings a wake-up call. A solid 7 feet of south swell starts to roll in, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1099 (strong to very strong wave energy). The wind is a clean offshore from the southwest, so the face of the wave should be smooth. It’s not a huge groundswell, so the shape should be alright for the advanced crew who know this reef. It’s likely to be too big for beginners, though. The water temp is about average for this time of year, sitting at 64°, nothing unusual.

The afternoon of the 24th turns into a bit of a mess with onshore wind, so the morning is the window. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th offer some more south swell, around 5 feet to 5 feet, with a decent 11-second period, and clean offshore winds on the mornings. The energy is moderate (443 to 524). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Now, the real standouts start to show up from the 30th of July onward. Thursday the 30th morning is a gem: 10 feet of south-southeast swell with an 11-second period, and a moderate offshore wind from the west-southwest. The combined energy is a massive 1875 (strong to very strong wave energy). This is proper groundswell, and it’s going to be a bit of a paddle to get out, but for the experts on this reef, the sets will be long and powerful. The clean conditions are a major plus.

But the absolute best of the lot, the one you’ll want to clear your calendar for, is Friday the 31st of July. The morning has a 10 feet south-southeast swell with a long 12-second period, and a gentle cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is 2323 (strong to very strong wave energy). The afternoon is even more powerful, with a 10 feet south swell, a moderate offshore wind, and a combined energy of 3718. That’s the kind of energy that makes the reef light up. It’s strictly for the experts at that size, but the quality is off the charts. The long period will mean well-defined, powerful lines, but it can make the reef a bit more critical.

This wave energy holds strong into the morning of the 1st of August and the 2nd of August, with 10 feet sets and clean offshore winds. The 2nd of August morning has a combined energy of 3953, which is absolutely pumping. The swell direction is a bit more southerly, which is a good match for the spot’s optimum swell direction. Expect crowds at this spot, especially on the weekends.

After that, the energy starts to drop off through the 3rd and 4th of August, with strong cross-offshore winds that will keep it clean but messy. The swell drops below 7 feet and the wind gets stronger, making it less appealing.

So, the pick of the run is Friday the 31st of July. That’s your day. The morning has the perfectly clean, long-period groundswell, and the afternoon just has raw, brutal power. Get on it if you’re got the skills.

Rusty.

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