Suicide Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and settle in, because it’s a slow start here at Suicide Cliffs. For the next week and a half, we’re looking at a flat spell with nothing to get excited about. From Thursday the 23rd of July right through to the end of July, it’s pretty much a write-off. We’re talking tiny, weak swell – barely 1ft to 2ft – with lousy cross-onshore winds most days and combined wave energy figures in the 20s to 70s (weak). It’s choppy, it’s messy, and there’s just no push. You’d be better off cleaning the wax off your board than paddling out.

Now, a few mornings in late July and early August tease us with a bit of glassy conditions, but there’s still no real swell to work with – just ankle-snappers. The first week of August keeps the same story: small, weak, and inconsistent. It’s a long gap, basically the whole 16-day window feels empty until we hit the second week of August.

Then, it finally shows up. Wednesday the 5th of August morning, we see a pulse of new SW groundswell arriving. The height jumps to 4ft, and the period is a solid 10 seconds, with combined energy reading 252 (moderate). The wind is light cross-offshore from the ENE, which means clean conditions. It’s a “good surf” call, and it’s the first real sign of life.

But the standout is Thursday the 6th of August. This is the one you’ve been waiting for. Early morning, we’ve got a 7ft SW groundswell with a 12-second period, glassy conditions, and the combined energy is a massive 1345 (strong to very strong). That’s a proper, powerful groundswell. The water temperature is sitting around 83°F, which is about average for this time of year – no major anomaly. This wave is going to be pushing hard, with long, clean lines. This is a wave for the experienced crew; at 7ft, it’s expert territory at Suicide Cliffs, and with that long period, it’s going to be walling up nicely on the reef. The afternoon stays glassy at 7ft, just a slight drop in energy to 1133, but still excellent.

Friday the 7th of August morning is also a standout. 8ft SSW swell, 10-second period, still glassy, with combined energy at 1384. That’s the biggest of the window, and it’s perfect for experts. The afternoon sees it drop slightly to 8ft with a longer 11-second period, but a slight onshore wind creeps in, making it a little less perfect but still a solid session for the brave.

So, the long and short of it: the first 13 days are a total bust. Don’t even bother. Mark your calendar for the 6th and 7th of August. That’s the real deal. Thursday the 6th is the pick of the litter – glassy, solid, long-period SW groundswell, and Suicide Cliffs will be cooking. Crowds are likely here, as it’s a very consistent spot, but for that quality, it’s worth the company.

Rusty

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