Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid, drawn-out run of south-west groundswell lined up for Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks, starting this Saturday the 11th and rolling through most of the fortnight. This is a reef setup that loves a SW direction, and we’re seeing some seriously long-period energy coming through—16 to 19 seconds early on, which means proper groundswell with power and shape. The water temp is sitting at about 60.4°, pretty much spot on average for July, so no surprises there.

The stand-out windows are Saturday morning (11th) and the early part of next week, but the absolute best of the bunch? That is Sunday the 19th. Let me walk you through it.

Saturday the 11th kicks off with a glassy morning as the tide pushes in—calm SE wind, 0 mph, and a clean 7.5 ft swell from the SW with a 16-second period. That’s plenty of energy behind it. This is excellent, but only for experienced surfers. Into the afternoon, a gentle SSE offshore at 9 mph keeps it clean, dropping slightly to 5.2 ft but period stretching to 18 seconds—longer gaps between sets, easier paddling between bombs. Lovely.

Sunday the 12th has an 8.2 ft SW swell with 16-second period on the morning, cross-off ESE breeze at 6 mph—clean again. The afternoon goes cross-shore with ENE wind, 7.5 ft, still decent if you don’t mind a bit of texture, but it’s a drop-off.

Monday the 13th fades fast—morning is 5.2 ft but with a cross-on NNE breeze and weak energy. Afternoon gets onshore NNW at 12 mph and drops to 4.6 ft—rubbish. Tuesday the 14th sees a lull: morning has light 2.6 ft SW swell, 13-second period, and a clean WSW cross-off, but it’s small. Not worth the paddle for most.

Wednesday the 15th picks up again: morning has 5.2 ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period and moderate energy, but it’s cross-on NNE wind. Afternoon jumps to 9.8 ft SW, 16-second period, strong energy, but onshore NNW 6 mph—marginal at best.

Thursday the 16th is a cracker for experts: morning glassy with NE wind at 3 mph, 9.8 ft SW swell, 16-second period, strong energy. Clean face, heavy reef—this is big and powerful. Afternoon goes cross-on NW and stays big.

Friday the 17th should be a treat: morning SE offshore 9 mph, 7.9 ft SW, 15-second period, clean and solid. Afternoon has a light S offshore at 6 mph, 7.5 ft, 14-second period. Very surfable for advanced crew.

Saturday the 18th keeps the run going: morning SE cross-off 6 mph, 6.9 ft SW, 14-second period, still clean. Afternoon picks up with a gentle SSE offshore 9 mph, 6.6 ft, but good energy.

Now, here’s the standout—Sunday the 19th. This is the session to circle. Morning: clear skies, light E cross-off 6 mph, and a mammoth 14.8 ft SW swell with a 17-second period. That’s exceptional energy—very strong, serious power. This is exceptional, but only for expert surfers. This kind of long-period groundswell on a reef like Shipwrecks will produce thick, heavy barrels. The afternoon drops to 13.1 ft, still with cross-off SE wind 6 mph. If you’ve got the skill and the nerve, this is the best on offer.

Monday the 20th eases to 8.2 ft in the morning with cross-off ESE wind 9 mph, still clean and good for advanced surfers. Afternoon gets windier with ESE 12 mph, drops to 7.2 ft, but stays clean.

Tuesday the 21st is fading—morning 4.9 ft, 13-second period, cross-off SE 12 mph. Afternoon similar. Wednesday the 22nd is poor: 4.3 ft, cross-shore E 12 mph, messy. Thursday the 23rd: garbage—2.3 ft, fresh E 19 mph, cross-chop. Friday the 24th: similar, 3.3 ft W swell but messy E wind 22 mph.

Then Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th show another pulse: 6.9 ft to 8.2 ft SW swell, 16 to 18-second periods, but the wind is cross-shore to cross-on E to ENE, creating lumpy conditions. The energy is there, but the quality is marginal. Still, for a kite session maybe more than paddle.

So overall, the first week is where it’s at, and Sunday the 19th is the absolute standout—huge, clean, expert-only groundswell. Crowds are rare at Shipwrecks, so you might have it nearly to yourself. After the 19th, it drops off fast, and the last few days of the fortnight are a write-off. Keep

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