Manly Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on the menu for Manly. The next week and a bit is gonna be a real mixed bag, with a long stretch of flatness to start before we finally get a proper pulse. The water temperature is sitting right on 64°, which is pretty standard for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there.

First up, the bad news: there’s nothing worth paddling out for from Monday afternoon through to Wednesday afternoon. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2ft, and the energy is dead – combined energy maxing out at a pathetic 44. A few moments of glassy wind on Tuesday afternoon will make for a pretty lake, but there’s no wave to ride. Stick to the coffee shop.

Things finally get interesting on Thursday morning, the 30th of July. The south swell jumps to a solid 7ft with a 9-second period, and the combined energy rockets up to 1123. That’s proper moderate energy. The wind is offshore from the WSW, so Manly’s point setup will be clean and lined up. This is a top pick for the whole forecast period. That said, 7ft is getting a bit meaty for beginners, so intermediate and up will have a ball. The swell is from the south, right in the sweet spot for this sheltered point. Expect some clean, punchy walls.

Friday morning, the 31st, is another standout. Similar size at 7ft, slightly longer period at 10 seconds, and still offshore from the SW. Combined energy is even higher at 1416. This is the best you’ll see all week – strong, clean, and consistent. The long period means the sets will have some real grunt, and the gaps will give you a breather. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

By Saturday morning, the 1st of August, the swell drops a touch to 4ft, but it’s still clean with light WSW offshore winds. Combined energy is 405, still decent. The waves will be smaller and more manageable, perfect for a wider range of ability. It’s a solid, fun session, but not a standout like Thursday or Friday.

The rest of the long-range stuff is a bit of a letdown. Sunday the 2nd has a 5ft south-southeast swell with a long 12-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore, making it bumpy. Combined energy is 609, but the quality won’t be there. The following week, from Monday the 3rd through to Tuesday the 11th of August, is mostly messy or small. There’s a glimpse of clean conditions on Monday the 3rd morning with a 4ft south-southeast swell and offshore wind, but it’s just okay. The swell direction is hitting the exposed side of the point, and the energy is moderate at 436.

Later in the second week, Wednesday the 5th shows a 6ft south-southeast swell in the morning with a super short 6-second period. That wind swell will be lumpy and weak, despite the size. By Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th, the swell picks up again to 5ft and 7ft, but the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the direction is from the southeast, which isn’t ideal for the point. The long period (10 seconds) on the 8th will bring energy, but the onshore breeze will chop it up. It’s more of a windswell mess than a clean surf day.

If you’ve got a kite, the later part of the second week with the onshore winds and lumpy 7ft+ swell might be worth a look, but for paddle surfing, the clear winners are Thursday and Friday (30th and 31st of July). The long-range stuff later on is too uncertain and messy to get excited about. Don’t hold your breath for the second week.

Rusty.

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