National Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the surf ahead.

We’ve got a solid week of waves coming, but it starts with a bit of a wait. The first proper surf shows up Friday morning, 17 July, but it’s not great. National Park is a point break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the swell. The water temp is about 69.4°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. Friday morning brings 6.9 ft of SE swell, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and the wind is a fresh 19 mph offshore from the SE, keeping things clean. Still, the combined energy is only 368, so it’s weak and the forecast says it’s marginal. Friday afternoon sees a bit more energy at 414, but the wind swings cross-offshore and the surf is poor. Not worth paddling out.

Saturday, 18 July, the swell builds. Saturday morning has 7.9 ft SE swell at 9 seconds, with 845 energy reading – moderate. The wind is cross-offshore from the S at 19 mph, so it’s clean but not ideal. Saturday afternoon gets better: 8.2 ft SE swell, 10-second period, and the energy jumps to 1343. Still cross-off wind, but it’s clean. The surf is still rated marginal, though.

Now, Sunday, 19 July – this is a standout. The morning has 9.8 ft SE swell with a 10-second period, and the energy is a strong 1744. The wind is cross-offshore from the SSE at 22 mph, but the forecast says the swell is too big for this break. That’s a bummer because the conditions are otherwise favorable. Afternoon stays at 9.8 ft, shifting to ESE, with offshore wind from the SSE at 19 mph, and energy at 1574. Still too big. This wave is for experts only.

Monday, 20 July, keeps the 9.8 ft ESE swell going, with offshore winds from the SE at 22 mph in the morning and 19 mph in the afternoon. Energy is strong at 1603 and 1722. Again, the break is overwhelmed. If you’re an expert and you know the spot, maybe you’re in, but for most of us, it’s a pass.

Tuesday, 21 July, the swell drops to 8.2 ft from the ESE, 10-second period, with offshore winds from the SE at 19 mph in the morning. Energy is 1378. The morning is still marginal, but the afternoon – that’s where it gets good. Offshore wind from the SE at 16 mph, 7.9 ft ESE swell, 10-second period, and energy at 1111. The forecast says excellent surf for experienced surfers. This is the best session of the run: clean, moderate offshore breeze, and enough size to get into the rhythm. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Wednesday, 22 July, the swell drops to 6.2 ft from the ESE, 9-second period, with offshore winds from the SE at 12 mph in the morning. Energy is 1110. Good conditions for experienced surfers again. The afternoon gets smaller: 5.2 ft from the E, 9 seconds, with gentle offshore breeze from the SE at 9 mph, and energy at 420. It’s clean and fun, but not a standout.

From Thursday, 23 July, the swell fades. Thursday morning has 4.3 ft E swell, 9 seconds, with cross-offshore wind from the S at 9 mph, and energy at 258. It’s surfable but ordinary. The afternoon is 3.9 ft with gentle offshore wind from the SSE, energy 228. Still clean.

Friday, 24 July, down to 3.6 ft E swell, 8 seconds, cross-offshore wind, energy 173. Poor. Afternoon is 3.3 ft, offshore wind, energy 135 – surfable but very ordinary.

Saturday, 25 July, 3.9 ft E swell, 7-second period, offshore wind, energy 140. Ordinary. Same for the afternoon at 3.9 ft, energy 131.

Sunday, 26 July, drops to 3.3 ft E swell, 7 seconds, light cross-shore wind from the SW, energy 109 – poor. Afternoon sees 3.0 ft from the E, cross-offshore wind from the ENE, energy 95 – surfable but barely.

From Monday, 27 July, it’s tiny. 2.3 ft ENE swell, 7 seconds, clean but light offshore wind, energy 58. The rest of the week is a bust: Tuesday, 28 July, has 1.6 ft ENE swell, glassy morning, energy 37 – poor. Wednesday, 29 July, 1.0 ft NE swell, onshore wind, energy 15. Thursday, 30 July, 0.7 ft SSE swell, onshore, energy 19. Friday, 31 July, 1.3 ft SE swell, cross-onshore, energy 34. And into August, it’s flat: 0.3 ft E swell with a long 17-second period but no size, onshore wind, energy 11.

So,

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