Riviere Noire Harbour Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get right into it for Riviere Noire Harbour. This is a sandbar set-up that's fairly exposed to the swell and likes it coming from the SW. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild there.

We’ve got a bit of a wait for the real juice. Sunday the 19th is a warm-up with some small SW groundswell, around 2ft to 3ft, with a long period of 15-16 seconds. The energy is weak (combined energy of 353 to 365), and the wind is a light cross-off. It’s clean, but it’s really just a paddle to get the arms moving. Nothing to get excited about.

Monday the 20th is where it starts to get interesting. The swell jumps up to 7ft on Monday morning from the SSW, with a period of 15 seconds, and the energy is pumping (1831). The wind is a light cross-off and it’s clean. Monday afternoon is the first real standout. The swell pushes to 8ft, direction SSW, period 14 seconds, and the wind goes completely glassy (0 mph). That’s going to be clean, lined-up waves for the experienced crew. The energy is strong (2062). This is a solid session for anyone who knows what they’re doing.

Tuesday the 21st keeps the goodness going with 7ft SSW swell in the morning, but the period drops to 12 seconds. The wind is still a light cross-off, so it’s clean. The afternoon gets a bit tricky with a light cross-shore wind, so the quality drops off.

Wednesday the 22nd through Friday the 24th brings a southerly shift. The swell hangs around 5ft to 6ft, with a 12-second period, but the wind turns offshore from the SE, light to moderate. It’s clean, but the energy is moderate (876 to 1280). It’s fun, but not the highlight.

Now, the next big standout is Sunday the 26th. The morning has a smaller 3ft swell, but with a very long period of 22 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The afternoon is a cracker: 6ft of SSW swell, with a 20-second period and moderate offshore wind. The energy is very strong (2680). This is going to be a ripper, but with that long period, it’ll be better on the point or reef, not breaking too straight. Expect clean, powerful lines.

The end of July and into the first week of August is a solid run of winter swell. Tuesday the 28th to Wednesday the 29th sees the swell holding at 7ft to 10ft, all from the SSW, with periods of 15-17 seconds. The energy is huge (up to 4554 on the 29th). The wind is mostly cross-off. This is big, powerful stuff. Thursday the 30th is a true standout: 8ft of SSW swell, a 17-second period, and glassy conditions (0 mph wind). The energy is massive (4000). This is a day for experienced surfers only, with clean, heavy waves. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

The run continues into the first week of August. Friday the 31st holds 7ft SSW swell with gentle offshore winds, and Saturday the 1st of August has 6ft to 6ft with moderate offshore. The 2nd of August has a risk of thunderstorms, but the swell is still solid at 8ft with moderate offshore wind. The 3rd of August wraps it up with 7ft of SSW swell and clean conditions.

For the best on offer, I’d put my money on Monday afternoon the 20th for the glassy conditions, and Thursday the 30th of July for the sheer size, power, and glassy calm. The 30th is a big swell day, so experts only.

Rusty, signing off.

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