North Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what North Beach is serving up for the next couple of weeks.

Overall, the pattern is looking pretty marginal to start. We’ve got some swell on the way, but the wind is going to be a real issue for a lot of it. The real standout window is shaping up for the weekend of the 25th and 26th, but even that comes with a pinch of salt. Let’s step through it.

The first session that’s even worth a mention is Saturday morning, the 18th. We’ve got a small 3ft easterly swell with a period of 10 seconds, and combined wave energy is weak at 335. The wind is a light cross-shore from the NNE at 6 mph, which will keep it clean enough, but the wave comment says it’s marginal. Honestly, it’s a bit of a floater for a paddle.

Sunday the 19th sees a bit more size push in, with the swell building to 6ft from the SSE by the morning. The period is a solid 12 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (937). The wind, however, is a light cross-onshore from the NE, so it won’t be glassy. Still, there’s some energy there. By Monday the 20th, the swell holds around 6ft from the SE, with a period of 12 seconds and combined energy of 1071 (moderate). The morning has a light cross-shore from the south at 6 mph, which is the best of it. The afternoon turns onshore, so get it early.

The rest of that week into the 23rd and 24th is a write-off. The swell drops back under 3ft, and the wind is either onshore or too strong. It’s a frustrating gap with no real recommendations.

Now, here’s the one that catches the eye. Saturday the 25th is the best bet on offer. The morning brings a 5ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 20 seconds. The combined wave energy jumps to a strong 1582. The wind is light and onshore from the ENE at 3 mph, but the period is so long it’s a proper groundswell. This kind of energy will really suit a break like North Beach, which is a beach/pier setup. The long period will mean well-shaped, powerful waves with longer lulls between sets. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. The swell direction from the SSW is a solid match for the optimum SE direction, so it’s hitting the bank well. Be aware the swell is 5ft, so it’s fine for intermediate surfers, but beginners might find it a bit much. The crowd factor is listed as "sometimes," so you might have some company, but it won’t be a circus. The afternoon on the 25th sees the swell bump to 5ft with a 16-second period and combined energy of 1301, but the wind goes cross-onshore at 9 mph, which chops it up a bit. The morning is the clear winner.

Sunday the 26th is a drop-off. The swell fades to 3ft, and the wind is a cross-onshore breeze, so it’s a poor surf day. The following week from the 27th through to the 2nd of August is mostly poor. There’s a pulse of short-period swell on the 28th and 29th, but the wind is howling onshore, making it a messy, lumpy mess. The 29th has a 7ft easterly swell with a short 8-second period and combined energy of 1081, but the wind is cross-onshore. The afternoon of the 29th goes clean with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is still short period and dropping. This setup looks more interesting for the kite surfers than a paddle surfer.

So, to wrap it up: the standout is the Saturday morning, 25th July. Get out there for the long-period groundswell from the SSW. The rest of the run is mostly a fight with the wind or waiting for the next decent pulse. Keep an eye on it, because the long-range call for the 25th is promising but not set in stone.

Rusty.

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