Steps Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Alright, let’s talk about Steps. This spot is a bit of a wildcard — it’s an exposed ledge that can pump, but it’s inconsistent, so you’ve got to pick your moments. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there.

We start off on Sunday the 12th of July with a serious pulse of swell. We’re looking at a solid 12ft swell from the south, with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 4410. That’s a lot of power. The wind is cross-off at 19 mph, so it’s clean, but honestly, this is too big for most. Unless you’re a seasoned charger, this is a day to watch from the rocks. That big swell hangs around into Sunday arvo with 10ft, still cranking, but again, well over the 8ft mark — experts only.

Monday the 13th drops down to 7ft, still from the south, but the period is 9 seconds. The wind is still cross-off, but the wave quality is just marginal. The energy drops to 737, and the score isn’t there. Tuesday the 14th is even smaller at 5ft, and by Wednesday it’s down to 4ft with poor conditions. From Wednesday the 15th right through to the 19th, we’ve got a real lull. The swell drops below 3ft, the wind is either cross or onshore, and the energy numbers are just pathetic — 135, 100, 63. There’s nothing worth paddling for. That’s about 5 days of flat, frustrating stuff.

Then we get a flicker of life on Monday the 20th of July. By the afternoon, we see 3ft from the south-west, but the period jumps to 12 seconds, and the energy climbs to 311. The wind is offshore from the east at 16 mph, so it’s clean. It’s not huge, but that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. Tuesday the 21st holds steady with 4ft to 4ft, 13-second period, and cross-off winds. The energy is solid at 512 to 583. The waves are a bit marginal on the score, but the setup is there for a few fun ones if you’re keen.

The real standout, though, is Friday the 24th of July. This is the one to circle. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the south-southwest, period at 10 seconds, and the combined energy is 760 in the morning and 848 in the arvo. The wind is light and offshore or cross-off, so it’s going to be clean. That’s a proper session for experienced surfers — it’s right at the edge of the big stuff, but with those light winds, the shape should be good. The optimum swell direction is from the SW, and this swell is coming from the SSW, so it’s in the right ballpark. Just be aware that this is an inconsistent break, so you might have to sit and wait for the sets.

Saturday the 25th is still solid at 5ft, with offshore winds in the afternoon, and the energy is still high at 572. Another good day, but the Friday is the pick.

After that, it fades out into the 27th with smaller, glassy conditions, but nothing special.

If you’re a confident surfer, get on the Friday the 24th. That’s the one. The earlier big swell is too heavy, and the flat spell is a write-off. But that Friday? That’s a beauty.

Rusty.

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