St Andrews Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a quiet spell ahead at St Andrews. The first couple of days are a write-off with tiny, weak swell and poor conditions, so don’t bother paddling out until the weekend.

Thursday afternoon, July 16th, is a no-go. We’re looking at a measly 1 ft of NE windswell with a short 6-second period and barely any energy (5). The water is sitting at 60°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a real standout, making the water feel like a bath, but it doesn’t help the surf. A light cross-onshore breeze messes up what little is there.

Friday morning, July 17th, stays flat with 1 ft and even poorer energy (6). It’s glassy, but there’s nothing to surf. The afternoon picks up a bit of breeze from the ESE at 12 mph, pushing that 3 ft NE swell into a cross-chop. Still not worth it.

Saturday, July 18th, shows a little more size – 4 ft in the morning from the NE with a 7-second period and moderate energy (131) – but it’s cross-on and bumpy. The afternoon drops to 4 ft, same direction, and the conditions are still messy. Not your day.

Now, Sunday morning, July 19th, is the one bright spot in the whole outlook. We get a clean 5 ft NE groundswell rolling in with a solid 10-second period and strong energy (450). The wind is light offshore from the SW, turning it on. This is the best of the bunch – clean waves, decent size, and that long period means proper shape. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s not too big for most, but the 5 ft might push it for learners. The afternoon stays clean, dropping to 5 ft with 357 energy. This is your window.

After Sunday, it’s a long, drawn-out dry spell. Monday morning, July 20th, has 3 ft with 99 energy and glassy conditions, but it’s ordinary – surfable, but nothing to get excited about. The rest of Monday, all of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are tiny, with swell hovering around 0.3 ft to 1 ft and energy levels in the single digits. The wind is mostly offshore or clean, but there’s simply no swell to work with.

The gap stretches right through to the end of July. There’s a flicker of hope on July 31st – Friday morning – with 4 ft of NNE swell, a 7-second period, and moderate energy (227). It’s clean with a light offshore wind, but the conditions are described as “surfable waves but very ordinary.” It’s a long way off, so treat it as a promising but uncertain possibility. The afternoon drops back to 3 ft and 77 energy, with a cross-shore breeze messing it up.

Look, if you’re keen, Sunday the 19th is your only real call. The rest is a flat, frustrating run. St Andrews is inconsistent at the best of times, and this stretch proves it. Don’t hold your breath – forecasts can change, but right now, it’s looking like a long wait.

Rusty.

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