Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the coming weeks.

The good news is that we’ve got waves coming, but it takes a bit of patience to get to the real standout. For the first few days, the swell is small and a bit ordinary; the real excitement kicks off in the second week, with a powerful pulse of groundswell that will have the experienced crew frothing.

Shida is the only break on the radar, and it’s an inconsistent spot that needs the right push. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing unusual.

We kick off on Saturday, 18 July, with some small, weak ESE swell. The morning sees 3ft of swell at 8 seconds, with combined energy at 169 (moderate). It’s surfable, but nothing special. The afternoon picks up a little to 3ft with a 9-second period and energy of 209 (moderate), but the wind is cross-off, so it’s clean enough for a paddle on a longboard.

Sunday, 19 July, looks better. Morning offshore winds from the S at 10 km/h groom 4ft ESE swell at 9 seconds (energy 317 – moderate). That’s a clean, fun little wave. Afternoon holds up with 3ft and the same period, but the wind picks up to 20 km/h offshore, so it’s still clean but a bit more blown.

Monday, 20 July, through Wednesday, 22 July, we see a steady diet of small, clean, offshore conditions. Swell sits around 3ft to 4ft from the E, periods around 9-10 seconds, with energy mostly in the moderate 100-200 range. The standout here is Wednesday morning, 22 July, when the wind drops to 5 km/h and glassy conditions hit – that’s a rare treat, even if the swell is only 3ft. It’s perfect for a quiet, glassy session.

Then things go flat. From Thursday, 23 July, through to Sunday, 26 July, the swell drops to 1ft-2ft, with poor to average conditions. Energy levels dip as low as 74 (weak). The wind is often cross-on or cross-off, and it’s just not worth the paddle. There’s a gap of a few days with no real surf.

Now, the real standout hits. Monday, 27 July, looks promising. Morning brings a clean 3ft from the SSE at a long 14-second period, with energy at 440 (moderate). But the afternoon is where it gets interesting: 6ft of SSE swell at 12 seconds, with combined energy of 1109 (strong). That’s a solid, powerful groundswell, and with offshore winds at 20 km/h, it’s going to be clean and punchy. This is a proper step up.

Tuesday, 28 July, is the pick of the whole forecast. Morning sees 7ft SSE swell at 12 seconds (energy 1311 – strong), and the wind is cross-off, so it’s clean. The afternoon builds to 7ft at 13 seconds (energy 2237 – very strong) with a light offshore breeze, making for excellent, powerful waves. This is prime for experienced surfers – the crowd might turn up, but it’s worth it.

Wednesday, 29 July, gets big. The morning is 10ft of SSE swell at 14 seconds (energy 3354 – very strong). That’s too big for this break, and likely only for the experts. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but be careful. The afternoon drops to 8ft (energy 2975 – very strong) with the same conditions, still a big, powerful groundswell.

From Thursday, 30 July, onwards, the swell stays big but the wind turns ugly. Cross-on and onshore winds from the NE and NNW spoil the party, with 7ft of S swell at 14 seconds (energy over 2000 – very strong). It’s choppy and messy. Friday, 31 July, is just as poor, with onshore winds and similar sized swell. Saturday, 1 August, and Sunday, 2 August, see the swell drop back to 6ft and then 3ft, with cross-off winds but still marginal conditions.

So, the standout is clear: Tuesday, 28 July. That combination of 7ft SSE groundswell at 13 seconds, light offshore wind, and a clean, powerful wave is the best on offer. Monday afternoon, 27 July, is also a great call for a slightly smaller but still excellent session. For the first week, Wednesday morning, 22 July, offers the best chance of a glassy, small wave if you’re patient.

Rusty.

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