Nera Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, crew, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the Nera Rivermouth stretch over the next couple of weeks.

First off, we've got a river and beach setup that’s pretty sheltered, so it doesn't see a lot of action. The water temperature is sitting at 74°, which is bang on average for this time of year – nothing to write home about, but it’s comfortable.

We’re starting with a bit of a slow burn. Friday morning, the 24th of July, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW swell, but man, it’s glassy. The wind is just a whisper from the SSE, so the surface is clean. The combined energy is weak (131), and it’s inconsistent, so it’s a bit of a gamble. For a beginner, it could be a fun little paddle, but don’t expect much. Friday afternoon goes flat and cross-on, so that’s a write-off.

Saturday the 25th is a mess. The swell drops to 1ft with a cross-shore breeze, and the energy is a paltry 45. Sunday the 26th is where things get interesting, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. We’ve got a solid 7ft SSW groundswell on Sunday morning, with a very long period of 15 seconds. The combined energy is strong (2220). This is a big, powerful swell. The problem? It’s cross-shore wind at 15 mph, which will chop it up. The swell direction (SSW) matches the optimum (SW) pretty well, but the wind is a killer. Sunday afternoon is even bigger at 8ft, but still cross-shore. This is expert-only territory, and even then, the conditions are marginal. The long period will make it dumpy and tricky at a river mouth, though it could draw some lines if you’re brave.

Monday the 27th through Tuesday the 28th is still messy with cross-shore winds and dropping swell, and the energy is moderate (793 to 548). Not worth a trip.

Now, there’s a glimmer. Thursday morning the 30th of July, we get a little 2ft SSW swell, but the wind goes light offshore from the ENE. The combined energy is moderate (211) and the surface is clean. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Still, a clean wave is a clean wave.

The standout for the whole forecast is Friday the 31st of July. Morning brings a 3ft SSW swell, with a very long period of 16 seconds and a light offshore wind from the NE. The combined energy is moderate (463) and the forecast says "expect good surf conditions." This is the best on offer. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum SW, and the offshore wind will make it glassy. The crowd situation is "sometimes," so you might have a few others, but it’s worth it. Friday afternoon goes glassy with a 3ft swell, but it’s a bit weaker.

After that, it’s a long, dusty stretch. From Saturday the 1st of August right through to Saturday the 8th of August, it’s a mess of cross-on and cross-shore winds, with the swell staying small or dropping out completely. The energy readings are mostly weak, and the wind is never good. There are a few days in the second week with moderate energy (like the 4th of August at 1901), but the wind is cross-on and choppy, so it’s not worth paddling out. The 5th of August has a 5ft swell with a 17-second period, but again, cross-shore wind and marginal conditions. It’s a kite-surf setup at best on those bigger days.

So, the bottom line: Friday the 31st of July is your one and only true standout. It’s clean, the swell is solid, and the wind is perfect. Everything else is a gamble or a washout. If you’ve been waiting, that’s your window.

Rusty.

Read more