Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, bringing you the full 16-day outlook for Saltwater. It’s a bit of a slow start, but this point break has a nice solid run of surf building through the back half of the week and into the next, with a few proper standouts if you’re patient.

Right now, Monday afternoon (20 July) is a bit of a write-off with a 6 ft E swell at 10 seconds and cross-shore breeze, making for a messy, rippled surface. The combined energy is moderate at 951, but it’s just not clean. We’ve got a few days of small, ordinary surf ahead before the real fun kicks in.

Tuesday morning (21 July) is a hidden gem for the early birds – glassy conditions with a 5 ft E swell at 10 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (489) and it’s clean, so you’ll get some fun little waves. The water temp is sitting at 67°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Wednesday (22 July) morning is also glassy, but the swell drops to 4 ft from the ENE at 10 seconds with energy down to 279. It’s surfable and clean, but nothing to get too excited about. Thursday (23 July) sees the swell bottom out around 2 ft, with offshore winds in the morning, but the energy is weak (97). Things are looking a bit flat.

Then we finally get a proper pulse. Friday morning (24 July) sees a 6 ft SSW swell at 8 seconds with a clean offshore breeze from the SW. The combined energy jumps to 623 (moderate) and it’s looking really good. But the standout is Friday afternoon: a 7 ft S swell at 10 seconds, cross-offshore wind, and a combined energy of 1320 (strong) – this is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The tide might be a factor, so check your local charts.

Saturday (25 July) is the pick of the first week. Morning brings a 6 ft S swell at 13 seconds (a proper groundswell) with light cross-offshore winds and strong energy at 1108. That long period will make for some nice, well-shaped lines at the point, though it may break a bit straight at the beach. The afternoon cleans up even more with offshore winds, 5 ft S swell at 12 seconds, and energy at 646. This is a top session.

Sunday morning (26 July) holds on with 5 ft S swell at 12 seconds and clean cross-offshore winds – still very good. The energy is moderate (640), and the point will be handling it well. The afternoon gets a bit cross-shore and choppy, so stick to the morning.

Monday (27 July) through Tuesday (28 July) sees the surf fade, with energy dropping to around 88 by Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday (29 July) is mostly flat, with a tiny 0.7 ft SSE swell at 17 seconds and energy of just 43 – not worth paddling out.

But then we get another big one. Thursday morning (30 July) brings a 5 ft S swell at 11 seconds, light cross-offshore wind, and strong energy of 1025 – excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon jumps to 6 ft S at 10 seconds with cross-onshore wind, so morning is the clear winner here.

Friday (31 July) morning is still very good: 5 ft S swell at 11 seconds, light cross-offshore wind, moderate energy at 517. The afternoon has offshore winds and a smaller 4 ft S swell – clean and fun.

The first weekend of August (Saturday 1st) is small but clean, with 4 ft S swells and light winds. Nothing huge, but you’ll get a few.

Now, mark your calendar for Tuesday morning (4 August). That’s the big one. A 10 ft SSE swell at 11 seconds, light cross-offshore wind, and a combined energy of 2024 – that’s very strong. This is expert-only territory, mate. The point will handle it beautifully, but it’s a powerful, heavy swell. The afternoon stays excellent with 8 ft SSE at 11 seconds and energy of 2132. This is your standout session of the whole outlook.

Keep in mind, crowds are possible at Saltwater, especially on those standout days. And the long-period swells (17 seconds on the 29th, 14 seconds on the 2nd) are better suited to the point than the beach.

So, in short: the best on offer is Friday afternoon (24 July) and Tuesday morning (4 August). The latter is a proper bomb, but only for the experienced. The 25th and 30th are also top-tier mornings.

Rusty, signing off.

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