Rivoli Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Rivoli Bay is the only spot on the table for this 16-day stretch, so we’re locking in on this beach/pier setup. The window opens on the 28th of July, but don’t bother waxing up just yet – we’ve got a rough start. The first few days are a write-off with howling cross-shore winds and messy, blown-out conditions. Swell energy is massive, but it’s all for nothing with the wind. The combined energy is a thumping 4288 on Tuesday morning, but that’s just angry water.

We’re looking at a gap of poor surf until the 30th of July. Thursday morning sees a drop in size to 8ft from the SW, with a period of 13 seconds, but the wind is still cross and the energy is weak (2882). The call is marginal at best.

The real turnaround starts Friday, the 31st of July. That’s my pick for the best of the first week. The morning brings a 6ft SW groundswell with a 12-second period, and the wind swings cross-offshore, leaving the surface clean. The combined energy is a modest 1259, but the quality is there. It’s got that "very good" feel to it. The afternoon cleans up even more with a 6ft, 13-second swell and gentle cross-off winds. This is the sweet spot for intermediate surfers – not too big, not too small.

Saturday, the 1st of August, is a fun one for the crew who can handle a bit more power. We’ve got a 8ft groundswell from the SW, but with a very long period of 17 seconds and clean offshore winds from the N. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a 3/2mm steamer is plenty. The energy is moderate (3458). The afternoon jumps to 12ft with an 18-second period, which is getting into expert territory, but the wind is cross-off and clean. It’s a standout for the bigger-wave surfers.

Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd of August are a mixed bag. Sunday gets blown out by a fresh cross-onshore wind, but Monday morning is a glassy gem with an 12ft SW swell. That’s a big, clean, glassy morning, but the swell is too big for beginners. The afternoon is also glassy with a 10ft swell. Long-period groundswell (14 seconds) means it’s powerful and better suited for the deeper sandbanks or a reef, but Rivoli is a beach/pier setup, so it might close out a bit. Still, for the experienced, it’s a cracker.

The second week is promising but less certain. Tuesday the 4th of August has a tiny 3ft swell but a very long 23-second period, making it look like a longboard paradise under clean conditions. The energy is moderate (2163). Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th of August are solid options with 7ft to 8ft SW swells, long periods, and clean cross-off winds. The energy stays moderate (2738 to 4185). Friday the 7th of August afternoon is a standout – 7ft, 20-second period, and clean offshore wind. The energy is moderate (4991).

The 8th of August (Saturday) sees a big pulse of 10ft from the SW with a fresh offshore. That’s a big, clean wave for experts only. The 9th of August (Sunday) morning is a lovely 8ft, 15-second swell with glassy conditions, but the afternoon is a washout. Monday the 10th of August is massive – 16ft, 15-second swell with offshore wind. That’s a day for the very brave or the tow crew. The energy is strong (10202). The rest of the window from the 11th of August onwards is completely blown out with near-gale force winds and huge, messy swell.

Overall, the first standout is the morning of Friday, the 31st of July – clean, chest-high, and perfect for a long session. The second standout is the glassy morning of Monday, the 3rd of August – a big, clean, powerful swell for the experienced. Crowds are possible at Rivoli, so get there early for those clean windows.

Rusty.

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