Norman Bay (Wilsons Promontory) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards.

Alright, let's be straight with you. This run from the 4th of July through the 19th at Norman Bay (Wilsons Promontory) is a real mixed bag, and for a lot of it, you'll be fighting the wind. The water is sitting at 58°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might get away with a slightly thinner wetsuit if you've got one.

The first couple of days, Saturday the 4th, are a total write-off. You've got 7ft of SW swell, but it's coming at you with a fresh 22 mph cross-onshore wind, and that combo just means lumpy, poor surf. The wave energy is strong at 1690, but with that wind, it's messy. By Saturday afternoon, it’s still raw.

Now, the standout window, and the only real highlight here, is Sunday the 5th. That morning is looking good. We've got a solid 5ft of SW groundswell rolling in with a long 17-second period, pushing moderate-to-strong energy (1416). The wind goes offshore from the east at 9 mph, cleaning it right up. The guidance calls it "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers," and I can see why. That long-period swell will wrap into the bay nicely. Keep in mind though, a period that long can make the waves a little straight at this beach setup, but with that offshore wind, it should be a great session for the crew who know what they're doing. The afternoon holds up well too, with 4ft and clean offshore wind.

Monday the 6th sees the swell dropping away, and from there it gets really inconsistent. We get some glassy mornings on the 7th and the 10th, but the swell is tiny, around 2ft to 3ft. The wave energy is weak to moderate there (from 300 down to 187). You'll get a clean, small wave but it's for the longboard or a foamie, nothing with any punch. Wednesday the 8th is similar with a bit more size, but still small.

Then, after the 11th, the window really shuts. From the 12th of July right through to the 19th, it’s poor conditions day after day. The swell tries to pick up again around the 15th with 5ft to 6ft, but it’s accompanied by strong onshore and cross-onshore winds from the SW and W, making it lumpy and choppy. By the 17th and 18th, the swell is over 8ft, but with 25 mph cross-onshore winds, it’s just a washing machine – definitely not for beginners, and honestly, not much fun for anyone on a paddle board – that kind of setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

So, to sum it up: there's a long dry spell of poor surf from the 12th through to the 19th. The only true standout, the day you'd want to be in the water, is Sunday the 5th of July. Get out there for that morning session before the wind swings.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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