Suicide Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight off the bat: the next week and a half is a bust for Suicide Cliffs. There’s nothing worth paddling out for until the tail end of the second week. The reef is exposed, and it’s ready to go, but the swell just isn’t playing ball.

For the first nine days, from Tuesday the 28th of July right through to the morning of Wednesday the 6th of August, we’re looking at tiny, weak waves. Heights are stuck at 1.3ft to 1.6ft, and the period is a short 8 seconds, so there’s just no energy in the water. The combined energy of all swells is a paltry 30 or less for most of that stretch. It’s a flat spell, plain and simple. The wind is often glassy or light offshore, which would be perfect if there was anything to ride, but there isn’t. The water is sitting at 85.6°, which is about average for the time of year, so a nice warm dip, but not for surfing.

Then, on Thursday afternoon the 6th of August, things start to get interesting, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. A big swell finally arrives. Thursday afternoon we see a 6.2ft NW swell with a short 6-second period, and the energy jumps to 252 (moderate). The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the period is too short for proper shape. This is more of a warning shot.

The real standout – and the only one worth getting excited about – is Friday the 7th of August. By Friday morning, a 9.8ft WNW swell is hitting, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy at 1140 is strong. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean. This is big, powerful, and raw. But listen, 9.8ft on a reef like Suicide Cliffs is *expert only*. This is not for beginners or even most intermediates. The swell direction is WNW, which is slightly off the optimum SW, but it’s still going to barrel hard on the reef. It’s the best on offer, but it’s a serious, heavy wave. Friday afternoon gets even bigger: 11.5ft at 8 seconds, with a combined energy of 1880. The wind stays cross-offshore. This is a heavy, powerful, and dangerous swell. The crowd profile says “often,” so expect a few locals out, but at this size, it’ll thin out the pack.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th are still big, but the wind turns onshore and cross-shore, making it messy and choppy. The swell hangs around 8.2ft to 9.8ft, but the quality drops hard. The 11-second period swell on Sunday will have long gaps between sets, making the paddle out slightly easier, but the onshore wind ruins it.

The following Monday and Tuesday (10th and 11th of August) drop back to 3.9ft to 5.9ft, with a longer 10-second period, but the wind is a mix of cross-on and cross, so it’s not clean. The energy is moderate (379 to 823). It’s more manageable, but nothing special.

So, to sum it up: you’ve got a long flat spell until the 6th, then a short, heavy window on Friday the 7th for the brave and experienced only. The rest is either too small, too windy, or too messy. If you’re a kite surfer, that big wind on the 7th and 8th with the 9.8ft+ swell might be your jam, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a one-day show for experts.

Stay safe out there.

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