Pitstops Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. This outlook is for Pitstops, a reef break that’s beginner-friendly and very consistent, exposed to the SW. The water temp is sitting at 86°, about 1° above average for this time of year, so it’s nice and warm with no real surprise.

The next couple of afternoons kick off on Wednesday the 15th with a bit of a stormy vibe and a light cross-onshore wind. Swell is from the south at 4ft with a very long 15-second period, but the wind’s not ideal – it’s messy with small wind ripples. Combined energy is moderate at 681, but honestly, it’s a “marginal surf forecast” day, so not worth paddling out for.

Thursday the 16th brings cleaner conditions. Morning has a cross-offshore southeast breeze at 3 mph and the swell drops to 3ft from the SSW, still a long 15-second period. Energy drops to 512, but the surf is clean. The afternoon sees a light breeze, same swell direction, with energy at 298. It’s surfable, but not setting the world on fire.

Friday the 17th stays clean with cross-off winds. Morning swell is 3ft SSW at a 16-second interval, energy at 437. Afternoon is similar at 3ft, 15 seconds, energy 396. Solid beginner waves with clean faces.

Now, Saturday the 18th is a real highlight. Morning glass – calm, zero wind – and the swell remains 3ft from the SSW at 14 seconds. Energy is 352. It’s absolutely clean and glassy, perfect for the beginner crew. The afternoon stays glassy with a 3ft SSW swell (282 energy). Best session of the early run.

Sunday the 19th turns ugly. Wind swings onshore from the west at 9 mph in the morning, building to a 12 mph cross-onshore in the afternoon. Swell drops to 2–3ft, but the wind chops it up. Poor conditions; score a zero. Leave the board at home.

Monday the 20th is another standout. Morning brings a smooth 3 mph cross-off from the southeast, and the swell jumps to 5ft from the south with a 17-second period. Combined energy is strong at 1206 – that’s real power. The surf is clean and pumping. Afternoon has a 3 mph offshore from the east-southeast and 5ft south swell at 16 seconds (1040 energy). This is the best of the week. Long period groundswell, so it’ll break with shape and power on the reef, but the long gaps between sets will make paddling out easier. For beginners, the 5ft height is right at the upper limit.

Tuesday the 21st is still clean with gentle cross-off winds, but the swell drops to 4ft from the south, 14 seconds. Energy is moderate at 690. Good, consistent fun waves.

The rest of the outlook through to the 30th shows a consistent run of clean, cross-off conditions with swell heights ranging from 1ft to 4ft. The swell periods vary from short 8-9 seconds to long 16-19 seconds, which means some days will have better shaped waves than others. The 30th of July is another highlight: morning has 3ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period and energy at 1114, while the afternoon sees 4ft SSW swell at 17 seconds (1089 energy). Both with light cross-off breezes and clean conditions. This is the best of the second week.

Crowds at Pitstops are often around, so don’t expect a solo session. Overall, the period has plenty of clean, small to medium surf with two standout windows: the glassy Saturday the 18th, and the stronger, cleaner Monday the 20th and the 30th. The long period swells on the 20th and 30th will produce quality waves best handled on a reef setup like this one.

Rusty.

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