Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. We’ve got a serious run of surf coming up at Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks, but you’re going to have to be patient and pick your moments. This is an advanced reef setup, so it’s no place for the faint of heart, but when it lines up, it’s pure magic. The water’s sitting at 60°, which is bang on average for this time of year.

The whole outlook kicks off Monday the 3rd of August with some solid, long-period groundswell already pulsing in. You’re looking at a 5 ft SW swell with a 20-second period – that’s proper energy, deep water lines marching in. The combined energy is 2664 (moderate to strong), but the morning is a bit marginal. By Monday afternoon, the swell bumps up to 7 ft from the SW, still with a 19-second period, and cross-off winds keep it clean. The scores aren’t screaming “go,” but it’s a sign of things to come.

Tuesday the 4th is where it gets real. Tuesday morning sees the swell pumping at 12 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, and the combined energy hits 11298 (very strong). That’s a hell of a lot of water moving. The wind is cross-off in the morning, but it’s the afternoon that stands out: 12 ft SW swell, 16-second period, offshore winds from the SSW, and the energy is up to 12516. The conditions are rated exceptional for experts. This is seriously heavy – over 8 ft, so pack your big board and your courage. This is the standout of the whole outlook.

Wednesday the 5th still has size, with 8 ft SW swell in the morning and a 14-second period, but the wind goes cross-off from the SE, so it’s clean but a bit gutless. The energy drops to 3033. Thursday the 6th is glassy – dead calm in the morning with only 3 mph from the ENE, and the swell has eased to 5 ft from the SW, period 13 seconds. The energy is 734 (weak to moderate). It’s small and clean, but nothing special.

Friday the 7th fades fast. Tiny 3 ft SW swell, 11-second period, and the wind is cross-on. Poor conditions. Saturday the 8th brings a different swell – 8 ft from the WNW, but with a short 8-second period, and strong onshore winds. That’s a choppy mess. Sunday the 9th offers a reprieve: 7 ft WSW swell, 10-second period, and the wind is glassy all day – calm in the morning, only 3 mph from the W in the arvo. Combined energy is 1825 (moderate). This is a nice clean session, but the size is manageable now.

Monday the 10th has a 6 ft SW swell, 13-second period, and light glassy conditions in the afternoon. Energy is 1722. Then from Tuesday the 11th through Wednesday the 12th, the wind turns ugly – strong cross-on winds, lumpy and choppy, with only brief spikes of waist-high surf. Not worth it.

Thursday the 13th brings back some hope with a 5 ft SW swell, 20-second period in the afternoon (energy 2920), but the wind is light cross-on. Friday the 14th is the next real gem: 7 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and strong offshore winds from the S in the morning (energy 2350). That’s excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon stays clean with offshore winds.

From there, the energy hangs around through to the 18th, with waist-to-head-high SW swells and mostly clean cross-off or offshore winds, but nothing that matches the pure power of that Tuesday the 4th. The final standouts are the 4th of August (epic, expert only) and maybe the 14th of August for a more manageable but still solid session.

When you’re looking at that deep-water reef, remember: long-period SW swells (15-20 seconds) can get a bit straight at beach breaks, but at Shipwrecks, it’ll bend and unload. The crowds are rare, so you’ll have plenty of room. If you’re not an advanced surfer, stay well clear when it’s over 8 ft – that’s for the big dogs only.

Rusty.

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