Scarborough Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Scarborough Beach.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the cards. The good news is there’s swell on the way, but the wind is going to be the main character in this story, for better or worse. The first few days look clean and inviting, but we’ll have to weather a rough patch of onshore junk before a couple of really promising windows show up, especially late in the run.

The first swell to get excited about arrives Wednesday, July 22. Scarborough Beach is handling a solid 5ft groundswell from the WSW with a long 13-second period, and the combined wave energy is a healthy 715 (moderate). The wind is a gentle ESE cross-off, keeping things clean. The water is sitting at 64°F, which is a notable 4°F colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit. The morning is the pick, but the afternoon holds offshore wind too, with 4ft and 877 energy. It’s a proper start.

Thursday, July 23, keeps the party going. Similar 4ft to 4ft WSW swell, still with that long 14-second period. The wind goes offshore from the ENE and E, making for clean, peeling waves all day. The energy drops a bit from 672 to 515 (moderate), but it’s still a really fun, surfable day. This is a solid mid-week run.

Friday, July 24, the swell starts to back off. The morning is a bit marginal with 3ft, but the afternoon improves with 3ft and a light offshore breeze. The energy is low (242) but it’s clean. Not a standout, but a log could have fun.

Saturday, July 25, is a write-off. The morning is cross-offish but the wind swings cross-on from the NW in the afternoon, turning it choppy and messy. Sunday, July 26, is even worse; a strong SW cross-on wind blows up a 8ft to 8ft lumpy mess. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting again. Monday, July 27, the wind swings offshore from the SSE, and we’ve got a clean 7ft WSW swell with a 13-second period and a big 1383 energy (strong). This is for experienced surfers only—over 8ft is expert territory, but 7ft is a solid, powerful wave for those who know what they’re doing. A real standout if you’re comfortable in bigger, clean surf.

Tuesday, July 28, the swell drops back to a clean 4ft, but the wind is cross-off from the ENE, so it’s tidy. The energy is 743 (moderate). It’s a good, cruisy day.

We hit another rough patch from Wednesday, July 29, through to Saturday, August 1. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-on, and the swell is mixed up with rain and strong breezes. The energy spikes on the 31st to 4858 (very strong), but it’s all blown out. Don’t bother.

Sunday, August 2, is a massive pulse. A 10ft WSW swell with a very long 20-second period and a whopping 7182 energy (very strong). This is a monster groundswell. The wind is cross-shore from the S, so it’s lumpy and messy. The period is so long it might break too straight for a beach break, but for the handful of experts willing to paddle out, there will be energy. It’s a marginal call.

The real standout of the entire 16-day window, if you can wait for it, is Wednesday, August 5. The forecast shows a 12ft WSW swell with a 17-second period, and a combined energy of 7988 (very strong). The wind is a clean cross-off from the NNE, making it glassy. The catch? It’s predicted to be too big for this break. This is not for the faint of heart. Only the most experienced locals should even consider it. Thursday, August 6, is similar, with 10ft to 12ft and cross-shore wind, but it’s just too big for a clean, safe session for most.

The best bet for the average surfer is the clean, fun 4ft to 5ft window from Wednesday, July 22, through Thursday, July 23. For the big-wave crew, Monday, July 27, is the call. And for the absolute madmen, August 5 is a promise of a lifetime, but it’s a dangerous one.

Rusty.

Read more