Riviera 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.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – it’s not the most exciting run we’ve seen. We’ve got a consistent little swell trickling in, but the quality is being held back by conditions that are just a bit off. The first real chance to get wet starts Friday the 24th, but it’s a marginal one.

We kick things off Friday morning, the 24th of July, with a small 2ft SSW swell running at a very long 24 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, but the wind is on it from the SSW at 9 mph, making it cross-on and choppy. The combined energy is moderate (930). Riviera is a beginner-friendly spot, and it’s very consistent, but with these onshore bumps, it’s not going to be pretty. The afternoon cleans up a little as the wind drops to 6 mph, but it’s still cross-on.

Saturday the 25th is a bit better. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW, and the wind swings onshore from the SW at a light 6 mph – that’s clean. The period is still a very long 21 seconds, which is a deep-ocean groundswell. This is prime for a point break or reef, but at a beach, it can sometimes break too straight. Still, the energy is moderate (910), and light offshore wind makes it worth a paddle.

Sunday the 26th through Tuesday the 28th sees a slow build. The swell climbs to 4ft from the SSW, with periods dropping from 19 down to 17 seconds. The wind stays light and onshore, keeping things rideable. The combined energy hits three digits, peaking at 1176 on Monday morning – that’s moderate energy. The water temperature is about average for this time of year. Crowds are possible at Riviera, so keep an eye out.

The standout for the first week is looking like Thursday the 30th. The swell is 4ft from the S, with a 16-second period, and the wind is light and onshore from the SW. The combined energy is strong (1162), and it’s the best score of the early run. It’s not a classic, but it’s the cleanest you’ll get in this stretch.

Friday the 31st of July brings a bigger push – 6ft to 6ft from the S, but the period drops to 14 seconds. The wind picks up to 9 mph, turning cross-on from the W and making it choppy. That’s getting a bit sizeable for beginners, and the chop will ruin the shape. The energy is strong (1421), but it’s messy.

Saturday the 1st of August stays big at 6ft from the SSW, with a 13-second period and light onshore wind. The energy is still strong (1200), but it’s a bit of a wall of whitewater for the average surfer.

From Sunday the 2nd of August onwards, the swell starts to fade fast. By Monday the 3rd, we’re down to 2ft with poor conditions and no real energy. From there, it’s a long gap of flat, poor surf right through to the end of the forecast on the 8th of August. The combined energy drops to double digits, and the scores hit zero. There’s nothing to chase.

So, overall, the best bet is Thursday the 30th of July – cleanest conditions, solid energy, and a decent S swell. The second pick would be Saturday the 25th for the long-period groundswell and clean onshore wind, even if it's small. After that, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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