Shipwrecks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. Look, I’m not gonna lie to you – this is a tough run ahead for Shipwrecks. The first good window doesn’t show up for a while, so we're staring down a long, dry spell.

We kick off on Tuesday, July 7th with some energy in the water, but it’s not doing us any favors. There’s a solid 4 ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a very long 18-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 1106 (moderate to strong). But the wind is a dirty SW cross-shore at 25 km/h, putting a nasty cross-chop on the surface. The water is *much* warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 85°, which is over 5° above average – that’s very unusual. Still, this session is a write-off.

From Wednesday July 8th through to Monday July 13th, it’s a total bust. We’re looking at a solid 6 days of poor surf conditions. The swell hangs around the 3 ft to 4 ft range, but the winds are either cross-on or just messy, keeping the surface chopped and ugly. The energy drops off day by day, and the shorter periods aren't helping shape. Don't bother paddling out.

We get a little flicker of hope on Wednesday afternoon, July 15th. A new pulse of 5 ft SE swell shows up with a short 12-second period, and the energy bumps back up to 790 (moderate). But it’s still cross-on and choppy. It’s marginal at best.

Now, here’s the standout window. Keep your eye on Thursday, July 16th. The morning brings a 5 ft SSE swell with a short 11-second period and clean, glassy offshore wind from the SSE. Energy is moderate at 907. The water is still warm. The wind is offshore and clean – that’s a major positive for clean faces. By the afternoon, the swell builds to a solid 7 ft from the SSE, still with clean cross-shore winds from the SSW at just 15 km/h, and the energy jumps to 1328 (strong). This is the best we’ve got. The waves will be pushing into the reef and point setup. Just a heads up, at over 5 ft and heading towards 7 ft, this could be a bit much for beginners, and the crowds are *often* an issue here, so expect company.

Friday July 17th is a letdown. The swell holds at 7-7 ft from the S, but the wind swings onshore at 20 km/h, turning it into a choppy mess. Not worth it.

After that, the last week of the outlook is a slow fade. From Saturday July 18th onward, we get a mix of onshore wind, storm risk, and weak, small swells. Energy drops from 706 down to a weak 185 by Wednesday July 22nd. Nothing is clean enough to recommend.

So, to sum it up: the first decent chance you get is Thursday July 16th. Wait for that offshore wind in the morning and grab it. The swell is solid, the wind is right, and it’s the only real standout in a 16-day stretch that’s mostly washed out.

Rusty.

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