Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about what’s happening at Shelley Beach over the next couple of weeks. There’s some good stuff, but you gotta pick your moments.

The first real one is Monday morning, July 20th. Dead calm, glassy as a mirror, and a solid 6ft swell from the east with an 11-second period. The energy is pumping at 819, so there’s some proper push. Water temp is about 66°, which is normal for the season. That’s the best session of the first week – clean, punchy, and all yours.

Monday afternoon goes a bit cross-shore and not worth it.

Tuesday morning, July 21st, has a clean 4ft east-northeast swell with a light offshore breeze. It’s okay, but not a standout. The afternoon is a dud.

Wednesday and Thursday are small and messy – swell drops below 3ft and the wind chops it up. There’s a stretch of a few days here where it’s just not worth paddling out.

Then Friday morning, July 24th, brings a new pulse from the south. A solid 6ft swell with a 10-second period, clean conditions with a light offshore breeze, and energy of 623. This is another standout – better than anything else in the first week. The south swell sets up nicely.

Saturday and Sunday mornings both have clean conditions too, with swell around 4ft to 5ft, but the energy is moderate. Still good for a session, but the highlight is that Friday.

The next week (starting July 27th) is quieter. Monday and Tuesday mornings have clean 4ft to 4ft south swells, nice for a cruise but nothing to get excited about. Wednesday the 29th is a write-off with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions.

Now, here’s the big one. Thursday morning, July 30th, sees a massive 8ft southerly swell with a 13-second period, and combined energy of 2603. That’s serious power. But it’s a cross-shore wind and the description says marginal – the wind’s gonna chop it up. This is for experienced surfers only, and it’s not going to be clean. Not the best on offer, but lots of raw energy.

Friday, July 31st, and Saturday, August 1st, both have 6ft to 7ft southerly swell with cleaner cross-shore winds, but still with a bit of chop. The period is long (11-13 seconds), so you’ll get some proper lines, but the wind is the problem.

The last few days into early August drop off into poor conditions, with onshore winds and messy waves. The best of the whole 16-day window is hands down Monday morning, July 20th, with that glassy, 6ft east swell, and Friday morning, July 24th, with the clean 6ft south swell. Those are the ones to circle on the calendar.

If you’re a kite surfer, the strong winds on Wednesday July 29th and the big lumpy 8ft swell on Thursday July 30th might be more your thing, but for paddle surfing, stick to the standouts.

Rusty.

Read more