Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The surf’s looking a bit slow to start, but there’s some real promise later on if you’re patient.

For the first few days, it’s a mixed bag. Wednesday the 15th has some small swell at Strand (Pipe) – a beach and reef setup – with a SW swell around 3ft, but the wind is cross and the energy’s weak (486). Thursday the 16th shows a bit more life: a 5ft SW groundswell, with a period of 13 seconds, and glassy conditions in the morning. That’s clean, but the energy is moderate (933). It’s not a standout, but it’s a decent session for an intermediate. Water temps are sitting at 58°, which is about 1° cooler than average for this time of year – nothing wild, just a touch on the chilly side.

Friday the 17th keeps things clean with glassy conditions and a 5ft SW swell, but the energy drops off (423). Saturday and Sunday (18th and 19th) get a bit messy with cross-onshore winds and smaller swell – not worth getting too excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Tuesday the 21st sees a big jump: an 12ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is a cross-shore 9 mph and the energy is over the top (5415). That’s a lot of power. But the wind isn’t ideal, and honestly, at that size, this is only for experienced surfers. The beach break might be a bit unruly for paddle surfing – could be a kite surfer’s playground.

The real standout is Thursday the 23rd. Early morning, you’ve got an 12ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the SE. The energy is massive (6591), and the conditions are clean. This is exceptional surf for experts. The swell direction is right on the money for Strand’s optimum (SW), and the period is long enough to give proper groundswell shape. If you’re experienced and ready for a big day, this is the one. Crowds are possible at Strand, so get there early.

Friday the 24th holds well: a 8ft SSW swell with glassy morning conditions, light offshore wind, and clean surf. The energy is still strong (2124). Excellent for experienced surfers, but not as gnarly as Thursday.

The following week (from 25th July onward) has some consistent SW swell, mostly in the 4ft to 6ft range, with a mix of glassy and clean conditions. The wind stays light, often cross-off or offshore. The energy is moderate to strong. Nothing quite hits the heights of that 23rd July window, but there are plenty of fun, surfable days. Monday the 27th afternoon has a 7ft SW swell with a 17-second period and a cross-shore breeze – clean, but with a bit of chop.

The second week continues the trend: smaller swell (4ft to 7ft), mostly clean, with cross-offshore winds. Nothing massive, but the consistency is there. The last few days of July (from the 28th to the 30th) offer clean, moderate surf with offshore winds, especially on the 30th.

If I had to pick a true standout, it’s Thursday the 23rd of July – big, clean, and powerful. The 24th is a close second, slightly smaller but still excellent. The rest is reliable but not world-beating.

Rusty.

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