Panoramas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight with you, this stretch is a tough one. Right now through the first few days of August, the surf at Panoramas is tiny and the wind is messy. Thursday morning, July 30th, we’re looking at a weak 3 ft NW swell, but it’s coming in with a cross-on southerly breeze at 6 mph, and the combined energy is only 86 – that’s weak. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.

The whole first week is pretty much a write-off. Swell heights barely break 2 ft, periods are short around 7-8 seconds, and the wind is mostly cross-on or cross-shore. The only glimmers come on Sunday morning, August 2nd, and Monday morning, August 3rd, when the wind drops to glassy. Even then, the swell is only 2 ft to 3 ft, and the wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” You could get a fun little slide on a log, but don’t expect much.

Then we hit a dry spell. From the afternoon of August 3rd right through to the morning of August 5th, it’s all poor surf conditions. Wednesday morning, August 5th, we get another glassy morning with 3 ft NW swell (energy 94), but again, it’s ordinary. After that, the wind picks up again and the quality drops.

The middle of the month sees a slight bump in size. By Thursday afternoon, August 13th, the swell hits 4 ft from the NW, with energy up to 220 – that’s moderate energy. But the wind is still cross-on from the WNW at 9 mph, so it’s choppy. That’s about as good as it gets on the size front, but the conditions are not clean.

Friday morning, August 14th, offers a little hope with a 2 ft NW swell, period 10 seconds, and a light cross-shore breeze. Energy is 118, but again, the wave comment says poor. Nothing really stands out as a true winner here.

Honestly, if you’re desperate, the glassy windows on Sunday August 2nd and Monday August 3rd mornings are your best bet. The swell is tiny, the energy is weak (67 and 94), but at least it’ll be clean. For anything bigger, you’re looking at the second week, but the wind is going to mess it up. This is a period where you might want to check the kite forecast instead – the setup at Panoramas is a beach and reef, and with these onshore winds and moderate swell, it’ll be more interesting for the kite crew than for paddle surfing.

Rusty.

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