Panoramas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s be straight with you. I’ve had a look at the charts for Panoramas, and honestly, it’s a tough run ahead. Usually, this place can be a bit of a consistent performer, but the next sixteen days are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle session. There’s a big gap right at the start with no real surf on offer.

We kick off from Friday the 17th of July, and for the first week and a half, it’s pretty much a write-off. The swell is tiny, mostly hanging around 2ft to 4ft out of the northwest, with a short period of just 7 to 8 seconds. That’s weak, windswell stuff – the combined energy is barely cracking 65 (65) on the 17th, and only nudging into the low hundreds a few times, like 147 (147) on the 20th. The real killer is the wind. It’s almost constantly a cross-onshore breeze from the west-northwest or southwest, putting a little chop on the surface. The reports just say “poor surf conditions” over and over. It’s a real bummer.

There’s a tiny glimmer on Sunday the 26th of July. The morning turns glassy – dead calm, zero wind. The swell is still only 2ft from the northwest, and the period is short at 8 seconds, but at least the surface would be clean. The energy is only 62 (62), so it’s weak, but you could get a few grovelly ones. That afternoon, though, the wind cranks up to 25 mph from the north-northwest, making a mess of it.

The best chance you’ll get in this whole window is likely on the mornings of the 28th, 29th, and 31st of July, and the 1st of August. Look at the 29th of July: a clean, glassy morning with a 4ft northwest swell, and the period stretches to 10 seconds. The energy jumps to 204 (204). That’s more of a groundswell feel, and combined with the offshore wind, it’s the standout. The 28th of July and the 1st of August also have glassy starts with that northwest swell, though it’s a bit smaller at 3ft and 2ft. The 31st is similar, with a glassy 2ft northwest swell. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there.

But honestly, for a break that’s usually consistent, this is a lean spell. None of these are going to be pumping. If you’re desperate for a paddle, hit the glassy mornings, but don’t expect much push. The afternoon winds keep ruining it. If the swell ever kicks up over 5ft in the second week (like the 27th afternoon at 6ft), the wind is still cross-onshore, making it a messy, choppy affair. It’s a beach and reef setup, so with that strong wind, it might look more interesting for kite surfing than a proper paddle session.

Hang in there. Forecasts can change, but for now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty

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