Salamumu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Well, this is a tough one for Salamumu. It’s a reef break that’s known to be consistent and exposed, but the next week and a half is looking pretty average thanks to persistent onshore winds. There’s a real gap here – from right now through most of the 16 days, the wind just won’t let up. The only real standout is a couple of windows during stormy weather, so you have to be picky.

Let’s start from the beginning. On Tuesday, July 7th, the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-on from the ESE and SE. Swell sits around 5 ft from the SSE with a 10-second period, but the wave energy is moderate (471–472) and it’s just lumpy and poor. Not worth paddling out.

The next few days don’t improve much. Wednesday, July 8th, still cross-on with a moderate breeze, and the swell mixes up – morning is 3 ft from the SSE, afternoon drops to 2 ft but picks up a 20-second period from the SW, giving strong energy (781). That long period is a groundswell, but the wind ruins it. Thursday morning, July 9th, brings a shift: a gentle breeze from the NE turns cross-off, and suddenly we get a clean, powerful 6 ft swell from the SW with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is strong (2290). This is excellent for experienced surfers – the long period will make it organized, but at a reef break like Salamumu, that’ll translate into proper, deep lines. The water temp? It’s around average for this time of year, no major anomaly. Thursday afternoon is even better: wind goes offshore from the north at 9 mph, swell pushes to 7 ft from the SW, still 17 seconds, and the energy jumps to 2757 – very strong. That is the pick of the week. If you’re advanced and comfortable with overhead surf, Thursday is your day. Keep an eye on those risk t-storms, though – they could make for a wild session.

After that, it’s back to poor. Friday, July 10th, the wind swings back cross-on from the SSE, and the strong SW swell (6 ft, 15 seconds, 1661 energy) gets chopped up. Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th, are similar – onshore winds from the S and SSE, swell holding around 6–6 ft but messy. The energy is still moderate to strong (1144–1882), but it’s no fun.

Monday, July 13th, through to Wednesday, July 15th, is a run of fresh to moderate cross-on winds from the SE and ESE. Swell sizes drop to 3–6 ft, and periods vary from 10 to 16 seconds, but it’s all lumpy or choppy. The energy stays moderate (530–1399). Mid-week, Thursday, July 16th, sees strong cross-shore winds (28 mph) and a short-period SE swell at 5 ft – that’s only 7 seconds. The energy is weak (495). This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Friday, July 17th, is more of the same – strong winds, messy conditions. Then we get a slight improvement late in the forecast. Saturday, July 18th, the wind eases to a moderate breeze from the ENE, turning cross-off in the afternoon. Swell is 5 ft from the SW with a 15-second period, energy moderate-strong (1531), and conditions clean. It’s marginal but a definite step up. Then Sunday, July 19th, is the other standout: morning brings a light offshore from the north at 6 mph, with a 5 ft SW swell (13 seconds, 1249 energy). Afternoon goes glassy with a 3 mph westerly, swell bumps to 5 ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and energy is strong (1790). Excellent for experienced surfers – that glassy surface on a reef will be beautiful. That is the best on offer for the second week.

After that, Monday, July 20th, sees a return to light cross-on winds, and by Tuesday and Wednesday, July 21st and 22nd, the wind cranks up again to fresh cross-on with swell over 8 ft – that’s expert-only territory, but the wind just kills it.

So overall, the two standout windows are Thursday, July 9th (especially afternoon), and Sunday, July 19th (especially afternoon). Both offer clean, powerful, long-period groundswell with offshore or glassy wind. The rest of the 16 days is largely blown out. Crowds are possible at Salamumu, but on these standout days with t-storm risks, it might keep the numbers down. Keep your eyes peeled.

Rusty.

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