Ponto Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ over the next couple of weeks.

We’re startin’ with a bit of a patchy run at Ponto (river mouth). The first few days offer waves, but they’re nothin’ to write home about – the setup is deliverin’ marginal conditions with a pretty choppy feel, especially through Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. The water’s runnin’ exceptionally warm at 75°, which is about 8° above normal for this time of year – that’s real unusual, almost like we’re in the tropics. The swell energy is gettin’ up there – moderate to strong range (626-649) – but the cross-onshore wind and short, weaker swell periods keep things pretty average. The real standout window creeps in around Monday the 27th through Tuesday the 28th of July. South-southwest and southwest swell lines push in around 4ft to 5ft, with a period of 17-18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, with good shape and energy behind it. The wind turns clean, blowin’ straight offshore from the southwest and west-southwest at 6-9 mph. That’s the best combo you’ll see: well-shaped, clean waves with combined energy of 1104 to 1315 – strong stuff. Ponto prefers that western quarter wind, and we’re gettin’ it. The swell direction is south-southwest, which isn’t the optimum southwest, but close enough – the offshore wind will tidy up any angles.

After Tuesday the 28th, the size drops back a bit and stays in the 4ft to 4ft range with periods droppin’ out of groundswell territory. The wind stays mostly offshore through the mornings, but days like Thursday the 30th and beyond get a little cross-onshore again, and the combined energy drops below 600 into weak to moderate range. Friday July 31st is a write-off with poor surf conditions – you’re better off sittin’ this one out. From around Saturday the 1st of August all the way through Wednesday the 6th, it’s a slow dry spell. Swell sizes drop below 3ft, periods shorten, and the combined energy barely sniffs 400. There’s a few light onshores and gentles, but nothin’ worth paddlin’ out for. The whole second week looks flat out poor.

So, if you want the good stuff: Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th of July are your standouts. S swell around 4-5ft, 17-18 second period, offshore WSW-SW winds – that's as good as it gets in this window. The river mouth should handle that groundswell nicely, just be mindful it’s a beginner-friendly spot and can get busy. Keep your eyes on those days.

Rusty.

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