Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me break down what’s coming for Saltwater over the next couple of weeks. There’s some proper swell on the way, but you’ve gotta time it right and be ready for the size.

It starts a bit rough. Monday the 6th has a chunky 10ft swell from the SSE, but the wind is side-offshore, and it’s not that clean. The combined energy is strong – 1895 – but the quality is just okay, so I’d sit it out unless you’re desperate for a paddle.

Tuesday the 7th is when things get interesting. Early morning you’ve got an 12ft SSE swell with an 11-second period and a solid offshore from the SW. That’s a ton of power – combined energy of 2823 – and it’s clean. This is expert-only territory – that’s well over 8ft, so not for beginners. The afternoon swings a bit side-offshore but still solid.

Wednesday the 8th is still pumping – 8ft SE swell in the morning, offshore from the SSW, light breeze. Clean surf, combined energy of 1987. That’s still big for beginners – over 5ft – but more manageable for intermediates. The afternoon drops a little to 7ft but stays clean with a side-offshore.

Thursday the 9th eases off to a 6ft SSE swell in the morning, offshore from the SW with barely any wind (slight air at 3 mph). Combined energy of 1589 – still moderate-to-strong. That’s a nice size for a point break like this, and it stays clean. The afternoon drops to 5ft with a side-offshore, still very good.

Now, here’s the standout. Friday the 10th. Morning and afternoon are both glassy – WSW and SE winds at 3 mph. The swell is a clean 6ft from the SE with a 10-second period. That’s combined energy of 592 – moderate – but the glassy conditions make it perfect. This is the best on offer in the first week. Not too big, not too small, and dead calm. I’d be calling in sick for this one.

Saturday the 11th fades – 4ft SE in the morning, clean but dropping. Afternoon gets messy with cross-on wind and only 3ft. Then Sunday the 12th through Tuesday the 14th sees tiny swell with poor conditions – 1ft down to 0.3ft – combined energy dropping to single digits. That’s a dead run. No recommendations there.

But hold on, the second week fires up again. Wednesday the 15th brings back a 10ft SSW swell by morning, combined energy 2728, and clean with a gentle breeze. The afternoon is even better: 10ft S swell, 11-second period, offshore from the SSW at 12 mph, combined energy 3638 – that’s very strong. That’s a big, powerful groundswell with a long period. This is top-notch for experts.

Thursday the 16th keeps it going – 8ft S swell morning, 10ft afternoon, both with offshore winds. Combined energy 1184-1552. Clean and solid.

Friday the 17th holds at 8ft to 7ft, still offshore, moderate wind. Saturday the 18th drops to 7ft SSE with a light side-offshore, still clean. But by Sunday the 19th it’s fading below 5ft, and Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are small and poor again.

So overall: the absolute pick of the fortnight is Friday the 10th for clean glassy waves at a manageable size. If you want more power and are an expert, Tuesday the 7th and Wednesday the 15th are the heavy hitters. The water temperature is about average for this time of year at Saltwater – no anomaly to speak of.

Remember, this is a point break so it handles bigger swells well. Crowds can be likely here, so get in early. There are no gaps longer than a couple of days in the first week, but the run from Sunday the 12th to Tuesday the 14th is very small. The second week has a solid few days but fades again.

Rusty.

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