Number Threes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, with the same look in feet and miles.

Number Threes is a reef that demands a proper swell direction, and we’re going to have to be patient.

Right now, nothing doing. Starting Saturday, July 18th, we’ve got a steady cross-off wind from the ENE blowing 19-25 mph, and the swell is short-period, from the same direction, running 5 to 7 feet. The combined energy is moderate (604), but the surf quality is poor. This pattern of windy, junky, short-period swell sticks with us straight through to Thursday, July 23rd. There’s a tiny pulse of very long-period SSW groundswell on the 22nd and 23rd, but it’s only 2 feet and the wind is still blowing hard. Water temp is 80°F, which is normal for this time of year.

From Friday the 24th through Monday the 27th of July, the swell picks up again to 6-7 feet, with energy climbing to strong levels (1184 on Friday afternoon). But the wind is still a fresh to strong cross-off from the ENE, so the waves are messy. The best of this first stretch might be late Saturday the 25th, with a long-period (18 sec) SSW groundswell, but it’s small (3 feet) and the wind is up.

The real action begins around Tuesday, July 28th. An east swell builds in with longer periods (14-16 secs) and moderate to strong energy jumping from 1790 to 2564. Swell size is around 7 to 8 feet—getting big for most. The wind is still cross-off but a bit lighter at 16-19 mph. It’s not clean, but the quality is improving.

Now for the big one. Wednesday, July 29th. The swell explodes to 15 feet in the morning and hits 18 feet in the afternoon, with a long 14-second period from the ENE. The energy is off the charts—8514 in the morning and 11067 in the afternoon. That’s very strong, heavy water. This is for experts only. The wind stays cross-off, a moderate breeze at 13-16 mph, so not perfect, but the raw power will be unforgettable.

Then, Thursday, July 30th, is the payoff. The swell drops to a very surfable 11 feet in the morning and 8 feet by afternoon, with a solid 10-11 second period. And the wind goes almost glassy—just a slight air from the ENE at 3 mph. This is the cleanest the reef will be, with excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The energy is still strong (3108 morning, 1758 arvo). If you can handle it, Thursday morning is the session to chase.

After that, we fade into the first days of August with smaller, wind-affected ENE junk. So, bottom line: the first week is a skip. The second week builds hard, with Wednesday the 29th being the biggest and most raw, but Thursday the 30th is the best call for cleaner, powerful waves. Mark your calendar.

Rusty.

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