Rat Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Rat Beach over the next couple of weeks.

First off, I gotta be straight with you – we’re in for a long, slow stretch. The surf window kicks off on Thursday, July 23rd, but honestly, it’s a bit of a dud to start. The water is running at 72°F, which is a solid 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s pretty darn unusual, feels more like a bath than the ocean. The combined wave energy is weak, only 69 (moderate energy), and the swell is a tiny 3 ft from the west with a short period of 7 seconds. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s not totally blown out, but the forecast says “poor surf conditions.” Not much to get excited about there.

We then roll into Friday, July 24th, and Saturday, July 25th. The swell drops even more, to around 2 ft, still from the west with a short period of 6 seconds. The energy is weak, readings in the 20s and 30s. On Saturday morning we get a glassy moment – wind is dead calm at 5 km/h from the SSW – but that tiny, weak swell just isn’t going to do much. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” across the board.

Sunday, July 26th, is more of the same: 2 ft west swell, 7-second period, and a moderate offshore wind from the SE in the morning. Looks clean but still weak. The combined energy is a paltry 44. By the afternoon, a 3 ft swell from the SW with an 18-second period shows up, and the energy spikes to 502 (strong energy). That’s a long-period groundswell, but it’s coming with a cross-onshore wind and the “poor surf conditions” tag. That long period might make it break a bit straight at a beach break like Rat Beach, and the wind is a problem. Not a standout.

Monday, July 27th, through to the end of July is a real low point. Swell stays tiny, mostly 2 ft to 2 ft, periods between 5 and 7 seconds, and energy readings in the teens and twenties. The wind flips around, but the surf is just too small to do anything with. The reports keep saying “poor surf conditions.” There’s a brief moment on Monday afternoon with a 3 ft swell from the SW at 19 seconds, giving strong energy of 528, but it’s a cross-shore wind and tagged as “marginal.” Not a goer.

The first week of August doesn’t bring much relief. August 1st and 2nd have minuscule 1 ft to 2 ft swells, mostly from the west, with weak energy. The wind is offshore or clean, but the waves are just ankle-biters. August 3rd is similar – 2 ft west swell, 7-second period, and a clean offshore wind, but still won’t break a knee.

Now, we get a slight flicker of hope on August 4th and 5th. There’s a 1 ft swell from the SW with a period of 15-16 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (124 on Tuesday afternoon). The wind is clean – light offshore or cross-offshore. The report says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” This is the best we’ve seen, but it’s still tiny. A 1 ft, 15-second swell at a reef break? It could peel, but it’s going to be small and inconsistent. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might have a few others out for the same micro-swell. This is the only stretch that isn’t a total write-off, but it’s still a long way from a standout.

After that, it fades again. August 6th and 7th see the swell drop back to 1 ft, with very short periods (3-6 seconds) and energy in the single digits. The wind gets messy again.

So, there’s really no classic “best day” here. The only thing worth a mention is the Tuesday, August 4th, afternoon, with that tiny, long-period groundswell and clean wind. It’s a promise, not a guarantee. For the rest, you’re looking at a 16-day period with very little on offer. The surf is small, inconsistent, and the energy is weak for the most part. It’s a tough stretch for Rat Beach – the kind of time to check the tide charts and maybe find a longboard if you’re desperate.

Stay patient, the ocean will turn around eventually.

- Rusty

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