Rockpiles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Overall, it’s a slow start and we’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The first few days are pretty marginal with small, clean but weak swell. The real standout action is shaping up for the end of next week, with a solid pulse of easterly groundswell that’ll have the place pumping. There’s a long gap of nothing much at the beginning, then a few days of small stuff before the main event.

We’re kicking off at Rockpiles (reef). The water temp is sitting at a comfortable 80°, which is right around the normal mark for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first decent window pops up on Monday 20 July afternoon. Swell is a modest 2.6 ft from the south, but with a very long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined swell energy is moderate (595). Winds are cross-off from the ENE at 19 mph, which keeps it clean. It’s not big, but those long lines will wrap in nicely. The spot is fairly consistent, but crowds are possible, so get in early.

Tuesday 21 July looks similar. Morning shows 3 ft from the south, 14-second period, with ENE cross-off at 12 mph. Combined energy is moderate (533). Afternoon picks up a touch more wind at 19 mph, but the swell holds. Still small, still clean.

Wednesday 22 July morning is a write-off – 4.6 ft of short-period, wind-affected ENE slop (7 seconds) and strong cross-off winds. The afternoon sees a tiny 2 ft SSW swell with a very long 23-second period (combined energy 799), but it’s just too small to get excited about.

Thursday 23 and Friday 24 July are frustrating. The SSW swell holds at 2.3 ft to 3 ft with long periods (18-20 seconds), but the wind is howling cross-off at 22-25 mph. Combined energy is strong (847-958), but the conditions are poor. The water is going to be a mess.

Then on Friday 24 July afternoon, a sneaky 6.9 ft pulse from the ENE hits with a short 7-second period and combined energy of 1129 (strong). It’s a bit of a windswell, and with 25 mph winds, it’s more of a kite session than a paddle session at this beach break setup.

Saturday 25 July is another marginal day. 2.3 ft to 3 ft SSW swell with long 18-19 second periods, strong combined energy (1098-1230), but the wind is still a fresh cross-off 19-22 mph. Clean, but not great.

Sunday 26 July is where things start to get interesting. We’re looking at 5.2 ft to 5.6 ft from the east, with a very long 16-second period. Combined energy jumps to very strong (2208-2255). Winds are cross-off from the NE at 19 mph. This is solid groundswell and the reef will handle that long period beautifully. For experienced surfers, this is the first real standout.

Monday 27 July holds that east swell at 5.6 ft to 6.2 ft, 14-15 second period, combined energy still very strong (1515-1742). Winds are a touch lighter at 16-19 mph from the NE and ENE. It’s clean, consistent, and powerful.

The true standout is Tuesday 28 July. The morning shows 6.9 ft from the east, 13-second period, combined energy 1663 (very strong). Afternoon pushes to 7.9 ft from the ENE, 13-second period, combined energy 2184. Winds drop to a gentle 9 mph cross-off. This is serious size for the reef. It’s in the expert-only zone – over 8 ft in the afternoon. If you’re experienced, it’s going to be a day to remember.

Wednesday 29 July morning is the absolute peak. 7.9 ft from the ENE, 13-second period, combined energy 2000 (very strong), and winds are light at 6 mph cross-off. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is it. The best on offer. The afternoon sees 8.2 ft with a slightly shorter 12-second period and winds picking up to 12 mph, but still solid.

After that, the swell fades fast. Thursday 30 July drops to 1.6 ft to 2 ft from the south and southwest, with combined energy weak (175-271). Poor to marginal.

The first week of August brings a return of short-period, wind-affected ENE swell between 4.6 ft and 6.2 ft, with periods around 8 seconds and combined energy in the moderate range (564-715). Winds remain fresh cross-off. It’s a letdown after that big east swell, and the conditions are poor to marginal.

The last few days of the forecast, Monday 3 August to Tuesday 4 August

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