Menakoz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Menakoz. This is a reef break that’s strictly for the experts—fairly consistent but often crowded, and pretty exposed to the swell. Best direction is from the NNW. But I’ll be honest: the outlook is rough. There’s a long stretch of days with no real surf on offer, so don’t get too excited.

We start Wednesday, 22 July, with nothing. Tiny 3ft NNE swell, short 6-second period, and the wave energy is weak (73). The ENE wind is cross, making it poor. Same story into the afternoon—just a messy cross-onshore breeze. Thursday, 23 July, morning turns glassy with NNW wind, but the swell is only 2ft and the energy is low (50). It’s flat, mate. Thursday afternoon, 2ft with onshore wind, still poor. Friday, 24 July, gets a bump in the afternoon with 4ft WNW swell and 5-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the NW at 12 mph, and the energy is moderate (100). It’s choppy and not worth a paddle. Saturday, 25 July, sees the swell jump to 7ft to 7ft from the WNW, with 7-second period and strong energy (401 to 444). But the wind is fresh cross-on from the WNW at 18-22 mph, making it lumpy and blown-out. That’s only for the hardcore. Sunday, 26 July, drops back to 4ft to 4ft, with moderate energy (222 to 145), but the cross-on wind keeps it poor.

Then Monday, 27 July, we get a glimmer: 4ft to 5ft NNW swell with a 10-second period, giving moderate energy (292 to 349). The wind is light cross-on in the morning and light cross-shore in the afternoon. It’s marginal, but it might be the best we’ve seen. Score only a 1 out of 10, though—questionable conditions. Tuesday, 28 July, morning is the standout: 4ft NNW swell, 9-second period, moderate energy (255), and clean conditions with a light cross-offshore wind from the E at 9 mph. That’s surfable, but it’s ordinary. The afternoon turns poor again. After that, it’s a flat spell. Wednesday, 29 July, to Friday, 31 July, has small waves and poor surf conditions. The one exception is Friday, 31 July, morning: glassy with NNW wind, a 3ft NW swell, 10-second period, and moderate energy (190). It’s surfable but ordinary. Friday afternoon sees 5ft NW swell with 10-second period and strong energy (451), but the wind is cross-on and it’s choppy.

Then we hit a dead zone. Saturday, 1 August, through to Wednesday, 5 August, has small swells, poor conditions, and almost no energy. The best of that is Sunday, 3 August, morning: glassy calm with 2ft NW swell, 8-second period, and weak energy (67). It’s surfable but very ordinary. Thursday, 6 August, morning ends the run with 3ft NNW swell and 7-second period, weak energy (80), and gentle cross-onshore wind. Poor.

So, the only real window to paddle out is Tuesday, 28 July, morning at Menakoz. You’ll get 4ft from the NNW with a light cross-offshore wind, clean conditions. It’s not pumping, but it’s the best of a bad run. For the rest, you’re looking at a gap of about 9 days with no worthwhile surf. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual. Given the swell size stays under 8ft for most of the period, it’s not too big for experts, but the quality is just not there.

Rusty

Read more