Stockton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna be straight with you – this 16-day window for Stockton Beach is a bit of a mixed bag, with a long stretch of nothing worth paddling out for at the start. The first real surf of any note doesn’t show up until Thursday the 30th of July, so you’re looking at a couple of days of flat, poor conditions before then.

The early part of the week is a write-off. Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are tiny, messy, and not worth your time. The swell is a joke – 0.7ft to 2ft – with short, weak periods and a lot of cross-off wind. The combined energy is pathetic, barely registering 69 or less. Honestly, leave the board in the car.

Then things start to wake up. Thursday morning the 30th, we get a pulse of 5ft from the south with a 10-second period. The wind swings to a light offshore breeze from the west – clean, glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate at 488. It’s not huge, but it’s the first real chance to get a wave. The afternoon goes a bit lumpy with a cross-shore wind, so make the most of the morning.

Friday the 31st of July is where it’s at. Morning is the standout of the whole period. We’ve got a solid 6ft south swell, 11-second period, and a light offshore cross-off wind from the southwest. The water temp is 64°, which is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual. The combined energy kicks up to 651, moderate and punchy. The waves will be clean and well-shaped. The afternoon gets bigger, hitting 7ft, but that’s starting to get too big for this exposed beach break, and the wind turns onshore, making it a mess. Stick to the morning.

Saturday the 1st of August, the morning is still good – 4ft from the south, offshore wind, and clean. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect it to be empty. The afternoon goes to crap with an onshore wind.

Sunday the 2nd of August, morning again looks very good. We’ve got 5ft from the south-southeast, a 12-second period, and clean offshore winds. The combined energy is 608 – solid. The waves will have good shape and power. The afternoon gets a bit choppy.

Monday the 3rd of August, the morning is still decent with 3ft from the southeast, but the wind is cross-off and clean. The energy is lower at 265. It’s surfable, but not special.

Then we hit a dry spell. Tuesday the 4th through Wednesday the 5th of August, the swell drops to tiny, wind goes onshore, and there’s rain. Not worth looking at.

Now, look ahead to Thursday the 6th of August. The morning has a big 8ft south-southeast swell with a 10-second period. The wind is glassy – dead calm. That’s a powerful, clean swell. But here’s the thing: 8ft is pushing it for an exposed beach break. This is only for experienced surfers. The combined energy is a strong 1051. It’s a big, powerful set, but it might be too much for the beach. If you’re a beginner, stay out. The afternoon is messy.

Friday the 7th of August, morning is still big at 7ft, again only for experts. The wind is cross-shore, so a bit bumpy. The afternoon is messy.

Saturday the 8th of August, the morning is a good call. The swell drops to 5ft from the southeast, with a light offshore wind. The combined energy is 551 – clean and fun. The afternoon gets a bit of cross-onshore chop.

Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th of August, the mornings are decent with 4ft and 3ft, clean and offshore. Nothing heavy, but a nice little paddle.

The last few days, Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th, are small and ordinary. The wind gets strong on Wednesday, making it pretty much a write-off.

So, the true standout is the morning of Friday the 31st of July. That’s your best window: 6ft south swell, 11-second period, clean offshore wind, and moderate energy. After that, the morning of Sunday the 2nd of August is a close second. For the second week, the morning of Saturday the 8th of August is the most promising, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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