Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. We’ve got a 16-day window looking at Saltwater, a point break that’s exposed to the swell and works best when it’s from the SE. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, fairly consistent, but it can get crowded often.

The water temp is sitting at 67°, which is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit drama there.

The first week is a bit of a mixed bag. We start on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th with some chest-to-head high swell (6ft to 7ft) from the SE, but the wind is cross-off, and the energy is moderate (456 to 567). The catch is the period is short (7-8 seconds), so it’s a bit lumpy and not really holding its shape. The scores are low, so it’s more of a grovel than a standout.

Sunday the 19th sees a jump in size – 10ft in the morning, easing to 8ft in the afternoon, from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is strong (1757 in the morning, 1364 in the afternoon). This is getting into expert-only territory, especially for a point break, but the wind is cross-off, so it’ll be clean. It’s the best of the weekend, but it’s big and powerful.

The real gem of the first week is Tuesday the 21st. The morning is glassy and clean, with 5ft from the E at 10 seconds. The energy is moderate (552). This is a perfect setup for a point break – the long period will give it shape and the glassy conditions will make it a dream. It’s about as good as it gets for a mid-week session. The afternoon goes onshore, so get it in the morning.

Wednesday the 22nd through Friday the 24th drops off significantly. Swell dips to 3ft and below, with messy wind and cross-shore conditions. Not worth paddling out for.

Then we hit a gap. From Saturday the 25th of July right through to Tuesday the 29th, the surf is small, inconsistent, and mostly poor. There’s a few glassy moments on the 25th and 28th, but the swell is tiny (1ft to 3ft) and the energy is weak (46 to 126). It’s a flat spell, so save your energy.

But hold onto your board, because Wednesday the 29th is the standout of the entire outlook. Morning brings 8ft from the S at 11 seconds, with a light cross-off wind. The energy is a massive 1616. This is a solid, powerful groundswell, and for a point break, that’s money. It’s top-end for experienced surfers, but the shape will be excellent. The afternoon stays around 8ft with a bit of cross-on wind, but still good.

Thursday the 30th is a drop-off, with 5ft to 6ft and cross-to-onshore wind. Not great.

Friday the 31st fires up again. Morning is glassy with 7ft from the S, and the afternoon goes offshore with 8ft from the S at 10 seconds. The energy is through the roof (1936 in the afternoon). This is another expert-level session, but if you can handle it, it’s going to be one of the best days of the summer. The conditions are clean, the swell is solid, and the point will be running.

Saturday the 1st of August is a step down to 6ft with a strong offshore wind, but it’s still clean and rideable.

So, to wrap it up: the best windows are Tuesday the 21st for a smaller, glassy, perfect session, and then the big boys come on Wednesday the 29th and Friday the 31st. Those are the two standouts, especially the 31st. If you’re a beginner, stick to the 21st. If you’re an expert, mark your calendar for the 29th and 31st.

Rusty.

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