Norries Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Norries Head are a real mixed bag, and we’ve got to wade through some pretty average conditions to find the few moments worth paddling out. This is a point break that’s inconsistent and exposed, so it needs the right combination to fire.

We start off with a rough patch. From Sunday the 5th through to Monday the 13th, it’s mostly poor surf with strong cross and cross-onshore winds from the south, making a mess of things. The swell is tiny, often under 3 ft, and the energy is weak (170 down to 46). The water temp is about average for this time of year. There’s no real recommendation until Wednesday the 8th, when we see a big jump in swell – 10 ft from the SE with a period of 11 seconds, and combined energy pumping at 2197. That’s moderate to strong wave energy, but it’s blowing cross-shore at 12 mph from the south, and the conditions are called “marginal.” That size is too big for beginners, and the chop will make it a handful for anyone. Thursday the 9th has a 7 ft SE swell (967 energy) but again, it’s cross-shore and only a 2/10 score. Honestly, this stretch looks more like a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

Now, the real standout – and the only one worth getting excited about – is Saturday the 12th of July. Tuesday the 11th has a glassy morning with 5 ft SE swell and 432 energy, but it’s only a 2/10. The real gem is Saturday the 12th afternoon: clear skies, 3 ft SE swell with a 11-second period, light WSW wind at 6 mph giving a clean cross-off breeze, and combined energy of 229. This is the best on offer – clean, manageable size, and the offshore wind will make it smooth. This is a beginner-friendly size, but remember, crowds are often here, so expect company.

After that, the surf fades quickly. The second week is mostly tiny, weak swells under 3 ft with poor wind. There’s a brief moment on Tuesday the 15th morning with 3 ft S swell and glassy conditions, but it’s only 5-second period, meaning weak, crumbly waves. The 18th and 19th are small and clean but barely rideable – 2 ft and 1.0 ft, respectively. It’s a long gap of poor conditions, so don’t hold your breath.

So, the call: paddle out Saturday the 12th of July afternoon at Norries Head for the cleanest, most enjoyable waves of the forecast. The rest is a write-off or just for the die-hards.

Rusty.

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