Manly-South Steyne Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, checkin’ the charts for the next couple weeks.

First up, we’re lookin’ at Manly-South Steyne. This reef setup is a sheltered spot, pickin’ up swell from the south. It’s an advanced wave, and it’s inconsistent, so you gotta be patient. The water temp’s sittin’ at 64°, which is bang on average for this time of year. No surprises there.

The week kicks off on Friday 24 July. The morning’s got a 5ft south swell, period 9 seconds, with a light offshore wind from the southwest right out of the gate. That’s clean, but the combined energy is only 313 (moderate), and it’s just surfable – nothin’ to write home about. The afternoon shifts to an onshore breeze, which is a no-go.

Saturday 25 July, the morning is clean with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is a bit mixed up. The period drops to 11 seconds, energy a bit better at 590 (moderate), but it’s still only marginal. Afternoon gets ruined by cross-on wind.

Now, Sunday 26 July is where it starts to get interestin’. The morning has a 6ft south swell, period 11 seconds, and a southwest offshore wind blowin’ at 9 mph. The water’s glassy, clean, and the energy jumps to 651 (moderate). This is the best of the first week – a solid, clean wave for the advanced crew. The afternoon, though, gets chopped up by the sea breeze.

Monday 27 July is a smaller day, with a 4ft south swell, period 9 seconds, and clean but weak energy at 206. Afternoon goes onshore and flat.

Tuesday 28 July and Wednesday 29 July are a write-off. Swell drops to nothing – 2ft and 0.3ft. The energy is pitiful (52 and 15). You’re better off stayin’ home.

Thursday 30 July brings a pulse. The morning has a 6ft south swell, period 10 seconds, and the energy rockets to 1248 (strong). That’s a lot of juice. But the wind is 16 mph from the south-southwest, cross-off, so it’s clean but the swell is big, over 5ft. Too big for beginners, and with that reef, it’s only for the experts. It’s marginal, not a standout.

Friday 31 July fades out – 4ft and 4ft, clean but weak.

The first weekend of August, 1st and 2nd, is tiny. Swell under 3ft, energy under 150. The morning of the 1st has a light offshore, but it’s just not enough.

We hit a big gap. From the 2nd to the 5th, it’s flat or junk. The 3rd and 4th are particularly poor – 0.7ft with a 14-second period on the 3rd? That’s a long-period groundswell but zero size. The 4th has a 5ft south swell but with a 6-second period – that’s short, weak, and messy.

The real standout is Thursday 6 August. The morning has a 6ft south swell, period 8 seconds, with a light offshore wind from the west-southwest at 6 mph. The energy is 549 (moderate), and it’s clean. This is a good, solid wave for the advanced crew. The afternoon gets cross-on, so get it in the morning.

Friday 7 August is also a good one. Morning has a 5ft south swell, period 7 seconds, with a 9 mph offshore wind from the west. Energy is 481 (moderate), and it’s clean. Another solid morning session.

Saturday 8 August is the last day with any life. The morning has a 3ft south swell, but check the period – 12 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, and it’s clean with a light offshore. Energy is 255 (weak to moderate). It’s surfable, but not a standout.

So, for the best on offer: Sunday 26 July morning is the pick of the first week – clean, solid 6ft, and good energy. For the second week, Thursday 6 August morning and Friday 7 August morning are the standouts. Both are clean, offshore, with decent size and moderate energy. Get in early before the seabreeze ruins it.

One last thing – this spot is inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s on. Crowds are possible, so be ready for a few locals.

Rusty out.

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