Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at what’s ahead for the next 16 days. It’s a slow start, but there’s a real window of proper surf coming through the middle of the week. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

First real surf worth paddling out for is Thursday morning, July 16th, at Ocean Beach (beach and reef). Swell’s up to 2 ft from the ESE with a solid 15-second period, and the energy’s moderate (241). The wind’s cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph, keeping it clean. It’s not huge, but it’s a start. That afternoon steps up: 3 ft from the ESE, 17-second period, and the wind goes offshore from the W at 6 mph. Energy jumps to 525 (moderate), and the conditions are clean. Good little session on the cards.

Friday morning, July 17th, is where it gets interesting. Swell pushes to 6 ft from the ESE with a 16-second period, and the energy is strong (1477). Wind is light cross-off from the NW at 6 mph, keeping it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the size is in the expert zone, but the direction is bang on the optimum from the SE and the period is long. The afternoon though, we get a cross-shore wind from the NNE, so it’s light cross-shore chop and the energy is very strong (2629), but the quality drops. The morning is your window.

Saturday the 18th starts with 5 ft from the ESE, 14-second period, and clean conditions with a cross-off breeze from the WNW at 6 mph. Energy is strong (1221). The afternoon sees a cross-on from the SE, so it’s a bit messy. Sunday the 19th has a shift – swell comes from the SSW at 5 ft, 18-second period, but the wind is a moderate cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph. Energy is very strong (2359), but the wind is up and the quality is marginal. The morning is cleaner than the afternoon, which gets a cross-shore chop.

The standout is Monday morning, July 20th. Swell is 7 ft from the S, 15-second period, and the wind is offshore from the WSW at 6 mph. The energy is very strong (2030) and the conditions are clean. This is proper, powerful surf – only for experts. The afternoon gets a cross-on from the SE, so it’s not as good.

Tuesday the 21st morning has 5 ft from the S, 13-second period, offshore wind from the WNW at 6 mph, and clean conditions. Energy is strong (868). Good for experienced surfers. After that, things wind down. Wednesday the 22nd has 3 ft from the S, glassy conditions in the afternoon with a NE breeze at 3 mph, and a 14-second period. Energy is low (362), but it’s clean and fun for a beginner to intermediate.

The rest of the window from Thursday the 23rd through to the end of July 30th is mostly small, weak, and ordinary. Swell drops to 1 ft to 3 ft, periods are short to moderate, and the energy is weak to low (72 to 257). The winds are often cross-onshore or cross-shore, and the scores are low. There are no real standout days in that second week – it’s a quiet stretch. The best of the whole period is Friday morning July 17th and Monday morning July 20th for the experienced crew. The rest is just a paddle.

Rusty.

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