Rye Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a good look at what’s coming for Rye Ocean Beach over the next couple of weeks. This spot is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the SW, so it grabs plenty of the swell that rolls through. The water’s sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

We kick off the week proper with a solid run of surf. Monday the 6th, the morning starts clean with a 6ft groundswell from the SW, with a long 14-second period between sets. The wind is a light offshore NNE breeze at 6 mph, so the surface is going to be clean, and the combined energy of all swells is moderate (1383). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but at 6ft, it’s solid enough that beginners might find it a handful. The afternoon glass off – wind dropping to 3 mph from the SSE, glassy – and the swell backs off a touch to 5ft, but the energy is still decent (823), making for a very good session.

Tuesday the 7th is where it gets a bit special. The morning has a 5ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is offshore ENE at 3 mph, making it glassy clean. The combined energy is moderate (1564). This is the standout session of the first half of the week. That long period means the waves will have real shape and power, best caught on the reef or point sections, and the gaps between sets will make paddling out easier. The afternoon stays nice with a 5ft swell at 16 seconds, but the wind swings to a light cross-shore, so it’s a little less perfect.

Wednesday the 8th morning keeps the quality going. Another 5ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period, and a cross-offshore breeze from the ENE at 6 mph. The combined energy climbs to moderate (2524), and the surf is clean. The afternoon though, the swell jumps to 7ft with the same 18-second period, and the energy hits moderate (3110). The wind is a light cross-offshore, but the report says it’s too big for this break, so that’s expert territory only. If you’re not a pro, stick to the morning.

Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th keep the pattern going: 5ft to 5ft SW swells, with 15-second periods, clean cross-offshore winds in the mornings, and the energy sitting around 1000 to 1262. Afternoons are a bit smaller and cleaner again. Good, consistent, fun surf, but not the standout of the week.

Then we hit a rough patch. Saturday the 11th kicks in with strong winds – 28 mph from the north – and the swell drops to 4ft, then 3ft, and the energy is weak (514 and 373). The surf is poor. Sunday the 12th is even worse: near gale force winds, messy cross-shore chop, and the swell is down to 3ft. Monday the 13th sees a massive 16ft SW swell, with energy at 10061 (very strong), but the wind is still strong and cross-shore, making it a complete mess. This is kite surfing weather, not paddle surfing.

The rest of the second week, from Tuesday the 14th through to the end of the 16-day window, is a mixed bag of big swells and strong winds. There are a few moments where the swell is 7ft to 8ft and the wind is cross-offshore, but the reports keep saying it’s too big for this break, or the wind is just too strong. On Friday the 17th afternoon, there’s a 6ft SW swell, 14-second period, and a light offshore breeze, giving clean surf – that’s a decent option if you’re keen, but it’s not the standout. By Saturday the 18th, it’s back to 8ft and 8ft swells with strong winds, and the reports say it’s too big. The last few days, from the 19th onward, are all messy with strong winds and big, lumpy surf.

So, the best on offer is the morning of Tuesday the 7th and Wednesday the 8th morning. That’s your window for glassy, long-period groundswell with clean conditions. After that, it’s a gamble with the wind and size. The gap from Saturday the 11th to the end of the window is mostly poor, with only a few brief windows of decent but not standout surf. Keep your eyes on the forecast, because it can change, but right now, that first Tuesday and Wednesday morning are the gems.

Rusty.

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