Shipstern Bluff Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what’s comin’ for the next couple weeks.

First up, the standout spot is Shipstern Bluff. This place doesn’t mess around. It’s exposed to the southwest swell, and it’s a big, heavy reef for advanced surfers only. The water temp is hangin’ around average for this time of year, so nothin’ weird goin’ on there.

Right now, we got a bit of a quiet start. The first real recommendable surf hits Friday morning the 3rd of July. The swell mixes in with a long 18 second period from the southwest, comin’ in at around 5ft. The wind is a cross-offshore from the northwest at 12 mph, so it’s clean and lined up for the experienced crew. Combined wave energy is 1507, which is solid and powerful. This is a good window for the crew that knows the Bluff.

Saturday morning the 4th, the swell jumps up to 15ft with a 13 second period, but the wind is howlin’ from the west-southwest at 34 mph – cross-on and blown out. It’s a no-go. Same story into the afternoon with 16ft and even worse wind. This is more of a kite-surfing scenario than paddle surfing, honestly.

Sunday the 5th, things settle a little. Morning brings 13ft swell from the south-southwest, 17 second period, and a light cross-on breeze at 9 mph. It’s still a bit lumpy and messy with 9408 energy, but it’s at least ridable for the brave. The afternoon gets glassy with an onshore wind swingin’ light, swell droppin’ to 12ft – still marginal, but a chance if you’re keen.

Monday the 6th is where it gets real good. Morning shows 7ft southwest groundswell with a 14 second period, and a light offshore from the north at 6 mph. That’s clean, powerful, and the energy sits at 1728. This is a standout window – excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The afternoon goes glassy with just 4ft, but smooth as silk.

Tuesday the 7th keeps the momentum. Morning offshore from the north-northwest at 9 mph, 5ft swell, 16 seconds – again, clean and punchy. The afternoon gets a cross-off breeze and 4ft, still clean. Wednesday the 8th is just as good: offshore all day from the north at 6 mph, 7ft swell with 18 second periods and strong energy (2519). That’s some of the best lookin’ surf in the whole run.

Thursday the 9th, things drop off with more cross-on wind and smaller swell. Friday the 10th has some clean cross-off wind and 5ft swell, but the tide might mess with it. Saturday the 11th is tiny and glassy by afternoon, but not much there.

Now, after that, there’s a big gap of a few days with nothin’ really worth gettin’ excited about. The winds get messy or too strong. But then Monday the 13th, there’s a bit of a return: afternoon sees 7ft swell from the south-southwest with a 19 second period, light cross-off wind, and energy at 3588. It’s marginal but clean.

Tuesday the 14th is a write-off with strong winds. Wednesday the 15th brings a massive 15ft south swell but it’s blown out by 31 mph onshores – dangerous and messy, not for paddling.

Look ahead to Saturday the 18th, and there’s a glimmer: 5ft southwest swell, 15 second period, and a light offshore from the north at 9 mph. That’s clean and calls for the experienced crew again. It’s a promising end to the run, but it’s far out, so don’t lock it in just yet.

Best on offer: Monday the 6th and Wednesday the 8th. Clean, offshore winds, solid medium-sized groundswell, and the Bluff doin’ what it does best. If you’re advanced and you know the reef, those are your windows.

Rusty

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