Scarborough Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Scarborough Beach over the next couple of weeks.

The first surf worth paddling out for is on Wednesday afternoon, the 15th of July. It’s a bit of a slow start, but we’ll get into it. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—about 4° cooler, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

Wednesday afternoon, the 15th, sees a clean 4 ft swell from the WSW, with a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is pumping at 1281 (moderate to strong). Wind is a gentle NNE breeze, cross-off, so it’ll be clean. That long period at a beach break like Scarborough might make it a bit straight, but it’s a solid start.

Thursday morning, the 16th, the swell ticks up to 5 ft from the WSW, period 15 seconds, but the wind swings NNW and picks up to 16 mph, making it cross and messy. Combined energy is still 1226, but it’s not inviting. Thursday afternoon gets worse—heavy rain, 5 ft swell, but 19 mph N wind and a cross-chop. Not one for the board.

Friday morning, the 17th, is a bit better. 6 ft from the W, period 13 seconds, with a moderate NNE cross-off breeze. Clean, but the wind is moderate. Combined energy is 1297. It’s a messy run into Friday afternoon though, with cross-on wind and a choppy 5 ft.

Saturday, the 18th, is a big one. The swell jumps to 12 ft from the WSW—this is only for experts. Saturday morning has 19 mph W wind, onshore, and the combined energy is a massive 5160 (very strong). Saturday afternoon, the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph from the WSW, still cross-on, but the swell is 12 ft with a 16-second period and energy at 6152 (very strong). It’s big, powerful, and a bit bumpy—only for the brave and experienced.

Sunday, the 19th, drops to 8 ft in the morning, WSW, 14 seconds, with light WNW wind at 3 mph—cross-on but barely there. Combined energy is 2078. It’s still a solid size, but the wind is light, so it’s a better chance for a paddle. Sunday afternoon is smaller at 7 ft, but the wind turns SW at 9 mph, cross-on, making it choppy.

The standout window looks like Monday the 20th of July through to Wednesday the 22nd. Monday morning, the 20th, has 6 ft from the WSW, 12-second period, with a light NNE cross-off breeze at 6 mph. Clean, combined energy 871. It’s a good, manageable size. Tuesday morning, the 21st, drops to 3 ft—not much there. But Wednesday morning, the 22nd, kicks back up to 6 ft from the WSW, period 13 seconds, with a light NNE cross-off and clean conditions. Combined energy 1042. That’s excellent for experienced surfers.

Thursday the 23rd is another good one. Morning session has 6 ft from the WSW, 13 seconds, with a gentle NE cross-off. Clean, energy 1002. Thursday afternoon is even better—offshore wind from the ENE at 6 mph, glassy, with 5 ft swell. That’s a beautiful clean window.

After that, the swell drops off. Friday the 24th has 4 ft in the morning, clean, but Friday afternoon goes glassy with 3 ft—tiny but perfect for a longboard. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are small, 2 ft to 3 ft, with clean conditions but weak energy. The combined energy drops to 235 and lower.

From Monday the 27th through to the end of the 30th, it’s mostly small and messy. The 27th sees 3 ft with a 17-second period and moderate cross-shore wind. The 28th is 2 ft and onshore. The 29th has a 4 ft morning but with a gentle cross-on chop. The 30th brings back a 4 ft swell with a 17-second period, light cross wind, and clean conditions—energy 1102—but it’s a marginal call.

The best of the whole run? Wednesday morning the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd. Both have clean, cross-off or offshore winds, solid 5 ft to 6 ft WSW swell, and good energy. If you’re an experienced surfer, the big Saturday the 18th is a proper challenge, but the cleanest, most rewarding waves will be mid-week.

Crowds are possible at Scarborough, so get in early.

Rusty.

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