North Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

The first real chance to get wet is this Sunday morning, the 19th of July. We’ve got a solid 6ft groundswell from the SSE, running at a proper 12-second period, pumping a moderate wave energy of 950. The real kicker is the wind: glassy, dead calm from the ESE at 3 mph. That means clean, smooth lines rolling into North Beach. The water is 72°, which is about average for the time of year, so nothing freaky there. This is the standout of the whole forecast for me. The swell is a bit over 5ft, so it might be a touch much for total beginners, but an intermediate will be all over it. Sunday afternoon sees the wind shift to a light cross-onshore, which will ruffle the surface a bit, but it’s still worth a look.

Monday the 20th offers a bit more size with 6ft swell from the SE, period still at 12 seconds, and the combined energy is up to 1253. The morning wind is a cross-offshore breeze from the S at 12 mph, which should keep things relatively clean. It’s a touch stronger than ideal, but it’s workable. This is the second best option in the window. Monday afternoon goes onshore, so call it a morning session.

After that, things get choppy and messy. From Tuesday the 21st through to Friday the 24th, the wind is mostly cross or onshore, with speeds picking up, and the swell mixes up. There’s a brief window Thursday afternoon with a 7ft swell from the S, but it’s a short-period, 8-second windswell, and the wind is cross-offshore at 22 mph, which is just too strong for a good paddle. Honestly, that Thursday afternoon setup looks more like a kite surfing day than a clean surf day.

Friday the 24th morning has a clean 4ft swell from the S with a 10-second period and light cross-offshore wind, so it’s small but surfable. Then we hit a lull. From Saturday the 25th right through to the end of the month, the swell drops and the wind is mostly cross-on from the NE. There are a few days with groundswell periods (15 seconds or more on the 25th and 26th), but the size is small, under 4ft, and the wind is not your friend. It’s a long quiet patch.

Now, looking into the first week of August, we get a real standout for the experienced crew. On Saturday the 1st of August, the morning is pure magic: glassy conditions with an E wind at 3 mph, and a powerful 8ft SSE groundswell. The combined energy is a whopping 1991, which is very strong. The period is 11 seconds, so it’s got plenty of push. This is big, powerful, and clean – experts only territory. The afternoon gets messy with a strong cross-onshore, so get out early.

The next day, Sunday the 2nd, is windy and messy. But then Monday the 3rd of August morning is another glassy calm beauty with the wind dead calm from the E. The swell is 7ft from the NE but with a short, weak 7-second period, so the energy is lower (1118) and the waves will be a bit lumpy and fat. Still, glassy conditions make it rideable for the experienced surfer, but it’s not going to be the classic groundswell shape.

So, to wrap it up: the absolute best bet is Sunday morning the 19th of July at North Beach for clean, glassy fun. The runner-up is Monday morning the 20th of July. For the big-wave hunters, Saturday morning the 1st of August is the one to circle, but it’s a long way out and could change. The middle of the window is a write-off for quality surfing.

Rusty.

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