Salamumu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Salamumu and what’s coming down the pike. It’s a rough patch, no two ways about it. The first week or more is mostly a write-off, and the second week only barely scrapes into rideable territory.

Water temp is a balmy 28°, right on the money for July. No surprises there.

Thursday the 9th teases us. The morning shows 6ft swell from the SW, with a long 17-second period and solid energy (2311), but a cross-shore breeze at 12 mph and the risk of thunderstorms keep it marginal. The afternoon cleans up with a cross-offshore wind, the swell bumps to 7ft from the SW (16-second period, energy 2714), and the wave comment says “clean.” If you’re keen, that Thursday arvo is your best early window, but it’s more of a salvage job than a standout.

Then it gets ugly. From Friday the 10th morning through Sunday the 19th, it’s a long, brutal stretch. Onshore winds from the south and southeast blow hard, hitting 31 mph by Friday the 17th. Swell is there—often over 7ft—but it’s blown out, choppy, lumpy, and messy. Every wave comment screams “poor surf conditions.” Energy is high, hitting 2714 early on, but with that wind, this is kite-surfing weather, not paddling. The period even drops to 7-9 seconds mid-month, making it junky windswell.

Finally, from Sunday the 20th through Wednesday the 22nd, the wind eases to a cross-shore moderate breeze around 12-18 mph. Swell shows up from the SSE to SE, 4ft to 7ft, with periods back to 12-13 seconds. Wave comments improve to “marginal surf forecast.” Energy is moderate, from 718 to 1535. It’s nothing flash, but it’s surfable. Tuesday the 21st afternoon is the pick: 5ft SE swell, 12-second period, cross-shore wind at 12 mph, moderate energy (1016). Internally it scores a 2 out of 10—best of a bad lot.

No true standouts. The Thursday 9th afternoon is the cleanest, but at 7ft, it’s for experienced surfers only. Beginners, you’re stuck with a long wait.

Bottom line: a long, empty stretch from the 10th to the 19th, then a few marginal windows from the 20th. Keep watching the forecasts—things can turn.

Rusty.

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