Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Shida over the next couple of weeks, so let’s get into it. The water’s sitting at 72.1°F, which is a bit colder than what’s normal for this time of year — a decent 3.6°F off the average, so you’ll want a spring suit if you’re fussy.

The first real action kicks off Wednesday morning, July 8th. We’ve got a solid 7.2ft swell out of the SE with a long 16-second period, pushing a heap of energy through — 2473 in the combined energy reading. It’s a big, powerful groundswell, but the wind’s a light cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. This one’s more for the experienced crew — over 6.6ft and pitchy, so beginners might want to sit this one out. Shida is inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for the sets, but when they come, they’ll have some push.

Thursday the 9th is where it starts cleaning up nicely. Morning sees a 6.2ft SSE swell, 14-second period, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSE — that’s clean lines. Combined energy is a healthy 1626. By the afternoon, the wind swings straight offshore from the SSE at 9 mph, dropping the swell a touch to 5.2ft but keeping it glassy. This is good, clean, intermediate-level surf.

Friday the 10th is a standout. Morning has a 6.9ft S swell, 15-second period, with a light offshore from the S — clean, powerful waves with 2122 units of energy. The afternoon bumps up to 7.2ft, 16-second period, and a moderate offshore from the S at 12 mph. That’s smooth, lined-up walls. The optimum swell direction from the south matches the guidance’s sweet spot — this is the pick of the first week.

Saturday the 11th keeps the run going. Morning has 7.2ft from the S with a 17-second period — very long-period groundswell, 2853 energy — and a gentle offshore. This kind of period can make beach breaks a bit straight, but with the offshore wind holding, it’ll still offer up some nice ones. Afternoon is similar at 6.9ft with a moderate offshore. This stretch from Thursday through Saturday is the core of the good stuff.

Sunday the 12th drops a little — 5.6ft in the morning with a cross-offshore, cleaner in the afternoon with 4.9ft and a straight offshore. Still fun, just smaller. By Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th morning, the swell fades right down to under 3.3ft — not worth paddling for. But Tuesday afternoon sees a bump back up to 4.3ft from the SE with a moderate offshore, energy climbing to 1322. Worth a look if you’re keen.

From Wednesday the 15th through Friday the 17th, we hover around 4.6ft to 5.9ft, mostly SE swell with clean conditions and light to gentle offshores. Thursday the 16th gets a cross-shore wind, a bit average, but Friday morning the 17th brings 5.6ft with a light cross-offshore — still decent for a paddle.

Now, Saturday the 18th through Tuesday the 21st — this gets interesting. The swell builds fast. Saturday hits 6.6ft, Sunday the 19th jumps to 9.8ft in the morning then 13.1ft in the afternoon, and Monday the 20th peaks at 14.8ft with energy readings over 8900. That’s massive — way too big for most, and the guidance says it’s too big for Shida itself. Only for absolute experts, and even then, it’s a beast. The winds stay light and cross-offshore, so it’s clean but intimidating. By Tuesday the 21st morning, it’s still 9.8ft, but drops to a more manageable 5.2ft by the afternoon with a solid offshore — that’s a nice reset.

Wednesday the 22nd is a beauty — 5.9ft from the SE with glassy conditions, light air from the SSE, and 1561 energy. That’s the kind of morning you drag yourself out of bed for. Thursday the 23rd goes ugly — 11.5ft with a strong cross-onshore from the NE at 16 mph, poor and choppy. Not worth it.

The real standouts here are Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th — consistent 7.2ft S swells with offshore winds, peak energy, and the right direction. Crowds are possible at Shida, so get in early. That mid-month spike from the 19th to 20th is for the mad dogs only.

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