Palm Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve had a good look at what’s heading our way for Palm Beach over the next two weeks. Now, straight up, this isn’t a forecast that’ll have you rushing out the door every day, but there are a couple of windows that are worth circling on the calendar.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a little swell on offer starting Friday morning, July 31st. The ocean’s pumping out some moderate energy here, with a combined swell energy of about 1299 – that’s a solid push. Swell is coming in from the south at 7 ft, with a period of 10 seconds, so it’s got some shape to it. Water temp is sitting at 65°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, no surprises there. The wind is a cross-off from the southwest at 9 mph, and that’s going to keep things clean. This is a beginner-friendly break, but with the swell size over 5 ft, it’s getting a bit punchy for total beginners – more for the experienced crew. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, so keep an eye out. Friday morning is looking like the standout of this early period.

Saturday morning, August 1st, the swell drops back to 5 ft from the SSE, and the energy really drops off to 396 – a lot weaker. But the wind is almost glassy, just a slight air from the WSW at 3 mph, so it’ll be clean and pretty. Still, the waves are small, so it’s a fun session, not a standout.

We hit a bit of a lull from Sunday the 2nd through to Monday the 10th of August. There are some mornings with small, clean waves, but the energy is low, and the swell is inconsistent. The wind stays favourable most days, with offshore or cross-off breezes, but the waves are mostly under 3 ft. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. There’s a gap of several days here where the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze.

Now, the real highlight comes on Tuesday, August 11th. This is the one to wait for. The swell builds to 7 ft from the south, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1188 – that’s moderate to strong. Tuesday morning the wind is cross-off from the WNW at 16 mph, keeping it clean. This is getting into big surf territory – over 7 ft – so it’s for experienced surfers only. Tuesday afternoon, the energy holds at 854, and the wind swings offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, with the swell dropping to 6 ft but the period stretching to 11 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, meaning better shape and more energy between sets. This is the best on offer in the whole forecast. It’s a point break or reef-style setup here, so that long period will really wrap in nicely.

Wednesday, August 12th, the swell is still there at 4 ft, but the energy is halved. The wind stays offshore, so it’s still clean, but it’s a step down.

The end of the second week, from the 13th to the 15th of August, sees small, clean waves with offshore winds, but the swell is weak – under 3 ft and energy under 400. It’s a slow finish.

So, if you’re picking your moment, Friday morning, July 31st, is a solid start, but Tuesday, August 11th, is your true standout – that’s the one with the size, the energy, and the clean wind. Just remember, it’s for the experienced crew only.

Rusty.

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