Manly Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up for Manly over the next couple of weeks. It’s a slow start, but there’s a big one coming.

Right off the bat, Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th are pretty ordinary. Saturday morning shows a 4ft ESE swell, 6-second period, and a cross-off wind, but the energy is weak (197) and the surf is just poor. Not worth getting wet. Sunday morning jumps to 8ft from the ENE with an 11-second period, and the energy is strong (1387), but the wind is cross and conditions are only marginal. That afternoon cleans up nicely with a light cross-off breeze and a 7ft ENE swell, 10-second period, and the energy is still strong (1034). That’s the first real window – clean, good shape, and solid size. That Sunday afternoon is the standout for the near term.

Monday the 20th morning is still clean with a 6ft ENE swell, 11-second period (885 energy), and a light offshore wind. It’s good, but not as punchy as Sunday. Then things fade through the week. Tuesday through to the end of the month sees the swell drop and the wind swing around. There are a few clean moments, like Wednesday the 22nd afternoon with glassy 3ft ENE swell, and Thursday the 23rd morning with a light offshore and 3ft, but honestly, the energy is weak (177 and 96 respectively) and the waves are ordinary. There’s a long gap of nothing special here.

Now, hold onto your board. Friday the 31st of July morning is the real deal. A massive 15ft S swell, 13-second period, and the energy is absolutely pumping (10000). The wind is light and offshore, so it’ll be clean. That’s proper big-wave territory – over 8ft, so for experts only. The swell direction is due south, and Manly’s optimum is from the SE, so it’s a bit off-angle, but with that much energy and a clean offshore breeze, the point should fire. Expect long, powerful lines. The crowd might be a factor, but on a day like that, the lineup will be thin.

Saturday the 1st of August morning is still solid with a 10ft S swell, 11-second period, and clean cross-off wind (2341 energy). Also for experienced surfers. Sunday the 2nd of August morning brings another 13ft S swell, 11-second period, light cross-off, and massive energy (3202). That’s another expert-only day.

So, the standout is absolutely Friday the 31st of July morning – huge, clean, and powerful. Sunday the 19th afternoon is the best of the first week for intermediate paddlers. Water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

Keep an eye on that last week of July and the first of August – it’s got some serious potential, but it’s a long way out, so not set in stone.

Rusty.

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