Narrabeen-Alley Rights Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got the outlook for Narrabeen-Alley Rights. It’s a beach/sandbar setup that’s exposed to ENE swell, and it’s a very consistent spot for advanced surfers. The water temperature is sitting at 65°F with a tiny anomaly of 0.2°F, so it’s pretty much average for this time of year – nothing to write home about, just your usual cool winter water.

Right now, the first few days are a total write-off. We’re looking at Tuesday, July 28th, and Wednesday, July 29th, with tiny 1ft to 0.3ft swell from the SE, periods all over the place but mostly short, and the combined energy is barely a whisper (13 and 15). Winds are offshore or cross-offshore, but there’s just no power in the water, so it’s flat and clean but not worth paddling out for. Thursday and Friday, July 30th and 31st, are more of the same – tiny 0.7ft ENE swell, weak energy (4-8), and the wind goes onshore or cross-offshore, but it’s all poor surf conditions. There’s a solid gap of about four days here with nothing to recommend.

Then things start to stir on Saturday, August 1st, in the afternoon. The swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSE, period 9 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 302 (moderate). But the wind is cross-onshore from the E at 10 km/h, making it a bit choppy, and it’s only a marginal call – not something I’d get excited about just yet.

Now here’s the first real standout. Sunday, August 2nd, is where it’s at. The morning brings a solid 6ft SSE groundswell with a long 13-second period, combined energy at 1083 (strong). Wind is offshore from the NW at 15 km/h, so it’s clean and glassy – perfect for this advanced break. The swell direction is SSE, which isn’t the optimum ENE, but the size and quality make up for it. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, with long, powerful lines. The afternoon stays good with 5ft SSE, 12-second period, and light cross-offshore wind, energy at 716 (moderate to strong). This is the best day on offer.

Monday, August 3rd, gets messy. The swell drops to 3ft from the SSE, but the wind swings to a strong cross-onshore from the SSW at 35 km/h, making it lumpy and poor. Combined energy is 267, but it’s a write-off. Tuesday, August 4th, is even worse – tiny 0.7ft swell, onshore winds, energy below 23. Another gap here.

Then Wednesday, August 5th, is wild. The morning shows a 10ft SSE swell with a 9-second period, combined energy at 1485 (very strong). But the wind is cross-shore, and the swell is just too big for this break – it’s only for experts, and even then, it’s borderline dangerous. The afternoon is the same size but with onshore winds, so it’s a no-go. Thursday, August 6th, and Friday, August 7th, have dropping swell from 8ft to 7ft, but it’s all cross-onshore wind and choppy conditions, with energy still strong (up to 1298) but messy.

The surf starts to clean up again on Saturday, August 8th, with a 4ft ENE swell in the morning, period 8 seconds, energy 228 (moderate), and cross-offshore wind from the NNW at 10 km/h. It’s clean and fun, but not a standout. Sunday, August 9th, is better – 4ft ENE swell with a 10-second period, energy 335, and light offshore wind from the NW. This is a solid morning session, clean and lined up. Monday, August 10th, is similar – 4ft ENE, 10-second period, offshore wind, energy 370. Good conditions continue.

Then Tuesday, August 11th, is the second standout. The morning brings 6ft ENE swell with an 11-second period, combined energy 827 (strong), and offshore wind from the NW at 10 km/h. It’s clean, powerful, and the swell direction is bang on the optimum ENE – this is going to be special. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 7ft, 12-second period, energy 1059, but the wind goes cross-shore, so it’s a bit chopped. The morning is the pick.

Wednesday, August 12th, is still good with 5ft ENE swell, 12-second period, cross-offshore wind, and energy 716 – clean and strong, but the afternoon turns cross-shore again. So, to wrap it up, the best sessions are Sunday, August 2nd, and Tuesday, August 11th (morning). The first week is a slow burn, but the second week has some quality if you time it right. August 5th is a big swell day, but it’s too big for this break and only for the brave.

Rusty.

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