Riviere Noire Harbour Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.

The pattern starts out a bit average, but we’ve got a cracking run of swell building from the south-west. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, no major surprises there for the session at Riviere Noire Harbour (sandbar spot, pretty exposed to the swell).

Wednesday morning, 22 July, kicks things off with a solid 6 ft south swell, period a nice 12 seconds. The wind is cross-off, so it’ll be clean, and the energy is moderate (1029). It’s a decent start, a good one for intermediates. The afternoon drops off a bit, still 6 ft but the rating drops – tide might mess with it.

Thursday and Friday morning stay in that 6 ft range from the south, but the wind gets stronger, up to 16 mph, so the surf gets a bit lumpy. Not the best. Friday afternoon sees the swell drop to 4 ft, but the wind turns offshore and the period jumps to 15 seconds – a proper groundswell. The energy is getting up there (913). It’ll be lined up, but that long period can make a beach break a bit tricky.

Saturday morning, 25 July, has 4 ft from the south-west with a light east breeze. The energy is moderate, but it’s small and clean. Good for a longboard paddle.

The standouts are coming in hot.

Sunday, 26 July, is a write-off with onshore wind. But then Monday, 27 July – that’s the one. First thing in the morning, 7 ft south-west swell, period 16 seconds, and the wind is glassy. The combined energy is strong (3594). This is expert territory; the sets will be powerful and clean. The afternoon goes even bigger – 10 ft from the same direction, same 16-second period, cross-off wind, and energy is very strong (4348). That’s an incredible run for experienced surfers only.

Tuesday, 28 July, keeps the energy high. Morning is 5 ft and offshore, clean. Afternoon gets 7 ft with rain showers, but still cross-off and clean. The energy is strong (2379). This is still excellent.

Wednesday and Thursday, 29-30 July, the swell backs off to 4-5 ft, but the offshore wind holds. The energy is moderate to strong. Not the biggest, but clean.

The real heater comes again on Friday, 31 July. Morning has 7 ft south-south-west swell with a 16-second period, offshore wind, and energy at 2379. Afternoon goes 7 ft with the same setup, energy even stronger at 2656. That’s expert-level, perfect waves.

Saturday, 1 August, stays big at 7-7 ft, but it’s cross-off and the quality dips a notch. Still powerful, but maybe a bit messier. Sunday, 2 August, the swell drops to 5-6 ft, clean, light winds.

Monday, 3 August, another top day: 7 ft, south-south-west, 16-second period, light offshore wind, energy strong at 2430. A gem.

After that, it gets a bit mixed from Tuesday, 4 August onwards. Tuesday afternoon has a short-period 7 ft from the south-east, only 8 seconds – that’s weak and choppy, and a fresh 19 mph wind. Wednesday and Thursday, 5-6 August, stay in the 5-7 ft range but the wind is cross-off and not ideal. The energy varies.

The best call in the whole run is Monday, 27 July afternoon, with those 10 ft south-west, 16-second groundswells and clean cross-off wind. That’s a rare, powerful, clean day. The other absolute standout is Friday, 31 July, with those 7 ft sets and offshore wind. Both are for the experts.

Crowds are listed as “sometimes” at Riviere Noire Harbour, so expect a few out for those big, clean days, but nothing insane.

If the swell is over 8 ft and the wind is strong, a beach setup could be more of a kite day. For the 10 ft, 27 July afternoon, if the wind gets stronger than forecast, it might be worth checking. But as it stands, that’s the pick.

Rusty.

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