Pambula Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got the rundown on what’s coming for Pambula Rivermouth. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the second half of the outlook is where the real action is.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Thursday the 9th of July starts with a glassy little 3ft ESE swell (period 10s) and a combined energy of 335—moderate, but nothing to get too excited about. Morning winds are glassy from the WNW, so it’s clean, but the swell is small and the water temp is 60°, which is about normal for this time of year. Crowds turn up here sometimes, so it’s not a total secret. Afternoon holds similar 4ft SE swell, but the wind swings onshore, so it’s a short window.

Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th are a write-off. Friday morning goes cross-shore with a 4ft SE swell, but the wind is sloppy. By afternoon it’s onshore with 3ft and poor surf. Saturday is even worse—tiny 2ft E swell (13s period, so long-period but small) and cross-shore wind. The rest of the weekend and into Monday the 13th through Wednesday the 15th is flat or near-flat, with combined energy dropping to single digits. A solid 4-5 day gap where there’s nothing worth paddling out for.

Thursday the 16th of July sees a pulse of life. Morning brings a 4ft SE swell (7s, short period) with a gentle offshore wind from the south, combined energy moderate at 194. It’s surfable but ordinary. The afternoon improves—5ft SE swell (8s) with a cross-offshore breeze, energy 271, and clean conditions. That’s a decent session if you’re keen.

The standout is Friday the 17th of July. This is the one to circle. Morning delivers 5ft ESE swell (10s period) with a light offshore from the SW, and combined energy jumps to 512—strong wave energy. It’s clean and glassy. The swell direction (ESE) is a good match for the optimum ENE direction at this rivermouth break. This is a solid, powerful groundswell with enough size to get the experts happy. It’s 5ft, so it’s a bit much for beginners, but it’s not massive. Afternoon sees the wind go cross-shore, so aim for the morning.

Saturday the 18th of July is another cracker. Morning has 5ft ESE swell (10s) with glassy conditions from the WNW, energy at 555—very strong. The break is a river mouth, so long-period swell like this (10s ain’t that long, but it’s decent) can line up nicely here. Crowds might be around, but it’s worth it. Afternoon turns cross-onshore, so again, go early.

Sunday the 19th of July through Monday the 20th offers smaller but still clean waves. Sunday morning has 5ft ESE swell (10s) with cross-shore wind, a bit messy. Monday morning is glassy again with 4ft E swell (10s) and energy 336—moderate but clean. A good backup if you missed the weekend.

From Tuesday the 21st of July onward, the swell fades fast. You’re looking at 2ft to 2ft with light winds, but the energy drops below 160, and by Thursday the 23rd it’s tiny and poor. The last few days show a weird spike of 5ft NNE swell on Friday the 24th, but with a 6s period and onshore wind, it’s a mess.

So, bottom line: the first week is a washout, but the 17th and 18th of July are the real standouts. Get in the water early on those days for glassy, clean, solid surf. The rest is just filler.

Rusty.

Read more