Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s brewing at Strand (Pipe). It’s a beach and reef spot, and it breaks fairly consistently, so you’ll usually find something to ride. Water temp is about 60°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

The first few days are a bit iffy. Monday the 3rd, we’ve got a clean 3ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period and glassy conditions in the morning. The combined energy is moderate (337). It’s not big, but that glassy wind makes for a nice, clean session for an intermediate. Monday afternoon goes cross-shore, so it’s less appealing.

Tuesday the 4th is a dud in the morning with cross-on wind, but Tuesday afternoon goes dead calm and glassy on a 3ft SW swell. The energy’s weak (167), but if you’re after a glassy tiny wave, it’s there.

Wednesday the 5th is the first proper standout. The swell kicks up to 5ft SW with a long 16-second period—proper groundswell energy (1051). The morning is cross-shore, but the afternoon is blown out with 30 km/h cross-on wind. Still, that swell energy is moderate, and a long-period SW groundswell like this will wrap well into the reef.

The real magic is from Thursday the 6th through Friday the 7th. Thursday morning brings a clean 6ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, and it’s cross-off wind. The energy is strong (1261). This is proper, clean, head-high plus surf for experienced surfers. Thursday afternoon stays clean at 6ft. Friday the 7th is the absolute best on offer: 7ft to 7ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period, offshore wind in the morning and cross-off in the afternoon. The energy is very strong (1809 and 1987). This is big, powerful, and clean. It’s over 8ft, so this is only for experts. Because it’s a long-period groundswell, it’ll stand up nicely on the reef. Crowds are possible here—it’s a spot that can get busy.

Saturday the 8th drops off, with onshore wind and a 6ft SW swell, so it’s messy. Sunday the 9th is cross-shore and a bit lumpy, but the afternoon cleans up with cross-off wind on a 5ft SW swell. Surfable, but not the best.

Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are average, with moderate energy and cross-shore winds. First week is done.

Now, into the second week—less certain but promising. Wednesday the 12th is a standout: glassy conditions, 4ft to 4ft SW groundswell with a very long period of 18 to 20 seconds. The energy is strong (1201 to 1436). That’s a super-long period groundswell, so it’ll be peeling on the reef, but at a beach break it might be too straight. Still, with glassy wind, it’s a gem for intermediate and above. Thursday the 13th is another big one: 7ft SW groundswell with a 15-16 second period, and the afternoon is flat calm and glassy. Energy is very strong (2001). That’s a serious, expert-only session. Friday the 14th stays clean with a glassy morning and cross-off afternoon on a 5ft to 6ft SW swell. Good, solid surf.

The last couple of days, Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th, taper off. Saturday morning is cross-shore on a 4ft swell, but Saturday afternoon goes glassy again on a 4ft SW swell. Sunday the 16th has a glassy morning at 5ft, then a cross-shore afternoon. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are blown out with strong cross-on winds and poor conditions.

So, the two true standouts? Friday the 7th for the big, clean, offshore groundswell—that’s the best of the first week. And Wednesday the 12th, with that glassy, super-long period groundswell, is a distant but promising highlight for the second week. Get on it if you can.

Rusty.

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