Sandtracks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me tell you how it’s lookin’ over at Sandtracks. Gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is pretty bleak, honestly. There’s a good 16-day run of real poor surf conditions and it’s only just starting to look like there might be one or two windows that could be worth a paddle, if you're real patient.

Water’s sittin’ at 79° – pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Right out the gate, Friday afternoon is a no-go. The cross-shore wind is howlin’ at 22 mph and it’s rippin’ that 6 ft east-northeast swell into a lumpy, choppy mess. Short period of 7 seconds, too, so no shape to it. Wave energy’s moderate at 410, but that wind just kills it.

Moving into Saturday and Sunday the 11th and 12th – still no good. Swell drops right down but we get that long period, sweet-lookin’ 18-second groundswell from the southwest, only 2 ft to 3 ft. Sounds promising, but that cross-wind from the east-northeast still crankin’ at 22 to 25 mph. The wave energy is actually solid – 546 to 726 – but the surface is just too messy to enjoy.

Same story all through the following week, even into the second week: cross-winds, chop, and messy conditions day after day. The combined energy does get up there at times – strong numbers like 704 and 722 show there’s juice – but it’s never lining up with clean conditions.

The closest we come to anything decent is on Friday the 24th of July, afternoon. Swell comes from the south-southwest at 3 ft, 17-second period – that’s a proper groundswell. Winds shift just enough to go *cross-off* at 16 mph from the east-northeast, and the report says clean. That’s the standout. It’s the only time in the whole outlook where we have clean conditions. Wave energy is 722 – strong. For a reef break that’s exposed to swell, that southwest direction is what it’s after. That Friday arvo session is the best on offer, hands down. Still only marginal though, so don’t expect perfection.

Then Saturday the 25th morning – wind drops right back to a gentle breeze, 9 mph cross-shore. Swell’s the same size and direction, 3 ft from the south-southwest, 15 seconds. Wave energy still moderate to strong at 560. A little cross-chop, but it’s the second best window. Might be worth a look if you missed Friday.

Thing is, Sandtracks is a reef break and can be inconsistent. This long period southwest swell is gonna roll in with long waits between sets, which can make it easier to get out back if you time it right, but the waves might break a bit straight on a beach, though on a reef setup they should be okay.

Bottom line: Friday 24th July afternoon is your best bet for a paddle. Saturday 25th morning is a runner-up. Everything else is a write-off unless the forecast changes.

Rusty.

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