Narrabeen-Alley Rights Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks at Narrabeen-Alley Rights. This is a beach and sandbar set-up that’s exposed and very consistent, but the opening of the period is a write-off thanks to a tough southerly blast.

We kick off Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th of July with solid 10ft to 12ft SSE/SE swell pushing through, but the wind is a cross-onshore mess from the S/SSW at 16 mph. The combined wave energy is huge – between 1560 and 2717 (very strong) – but it’s all choppy and poor. Nothing to get excited about for a paddle. Honestly, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than a proper surf session.

Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th stay marginal. Swell drops to 7ft–8ft, still mixed with SE windswell and a period around 10–11 seconds. The wind stays cross-onshore or straight onshore, keeping things bumpy. Energy is still high (913–1878) but no quality.

Friday the 10th of July brings a shift: morning sees the swell drop to 6ft from the SE, period 9 seconds, but the wind turns cross-offshore from the WSW at 9 mph. Conditions clean up a little – that’s a hint of something workable – but energy is down to 481. Not a standout, just a passable session for the keen.

Saturday the 11th of July is the first real highlight. Morning has the best combo of the first week: 4ft SE swell with a 9-second period, light offshore wind from the NW at 6 mph. That’s clean, clean, clean – glassy offshore. Combined energy is moderate at 476, but for a beach break, those offshore conditions will make it fun and user-friendly. Crowds are often here, so expect company. This is the pick if you can get out.

Sunday the 12th turns ordinary. Swell drops to 2ft from the ESE with a long 11-second period, which is a groundswell that tends to run straight at beach breaks. Wind is offshore at 16 mph, but with barely any size, it’s not worth the paddle.

From Monday the 13th right through to Thursday the 16th of July, we’ve got a massive gap with next to nothing. Swell fades to 0.7ft and then flat – combined energy drops to zero. A blank run of about five days here, which is a normal quiet spell for this area.

Friday the 17th of July sees a new pulse: 8ft SSE swell at 10 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore from the SSW at 12–16 mph again, making it choppy and poor. Energy climbs back to 1003, but the quality just isn’t there.

Now, the real standout of the whole outlook is Saturday the 18th of July (next week). Morning session: 7ft SE groundswell with a long 11-second period, combined energy of 1046 (strong). The wind is light offshore from the W at 6 mph – clean conditions for experienced surfers. With the swell over 5ft, it’s not for beginners, and at 7ft it’s solid for advanced crew. At a beach break, that long period can make waves a bit straight, but with offshore wind, it’ll still offer some good walls. This is the best day on offer, but being a week and a half out, treat it as promising, not locked in.

Sunday the 19th of July morning drops to 4ft SE swell with offshore NW wind at 12 mph – clean but small. After that, the swell fades into tiny windswell of 1ft–2ft through Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st, with NE windswell and short periods around 6–8 seconds. Not worth the effort.

So, for the pick: Saturday the 11th of July morning for the clean offshore setup with chest-high waves, and Saturday the 18th of July morning for the bigger, more powerful swell under offshore wind. Get in there early.

Rusty.

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