The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple of weeks at The Heads.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once the swell fills in, there are some real gems to look forward to. The water temperature is sitting at 63°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real window of action comes on Sunday, July 5th. The Heads is seeing a clean 5ft ESE swell rolling in with a solid 12-second period, and the wind is glassy or cross-off all day. The combined energy is moderate (924), and the surf is clean and well-shaped for an intermediate. Sunday afternoon is even better with glassy conditions. This is a solid, fun day to get out.

Monday and Tuesday (July 6th and 7th) are a bit of a mixed bag with cross-shore winds and a 5ft to 6ft SW swell. The energy is moderate (1073-1076), but the wind is tricky. Tuesday afternoon, though, turns glassy again with a 6ft SW swell (12s period, 1013 energy), which will be clean and fun. Not a standout, but still a good session.

Now, the real standout is Thursday, July 9th. The swell jumps to a solid 10ft from the SSW with a long 14-second period. The combined energy is strong (3279), and the wind is dead glassy all day. This is an excellent window for experienced surfers only – that’s a big, powerful swell. The long period means it will be better shaped and more powerful, but it could be a handful at a beach break. If you’re advanced, this is your call.

Friday, July 10th, keeps the 10ft SSW swell, but the wind shifts to cross-shore or cross-onshore, which will chop it up. The energy is still very strong (3052-2767), but the quality takes a hit. Not the best day unless you’re desperate.

Saturday, July 11th, is another good one. The swell drops to 7ft from the SSW with a 12-second period (1526 energy), and the morning has clean cross-off winds. The water will be clean and the waves powerful – still for confident intermediates and up.

The second week sees a bit of a lull. The swell drops to 5ft-5ft from the ESE/SE, with periods between 8-10 seconds. The energy is weak to moderate (346-638). The wind is light and glassy on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons (July 14th and 15th), giving you clean but small surf. Good for a longboard or a fun board.

Then, something interesting pops up for Thursday, July 16th. The swell jumps back to 10ft from the SSW with a very long 14-second period, and the energy is very strong (5010). The morning has gentle offshore winds from the N, making it clean. This is another big, powerful day for experts only. The long period again suggests it will be better at a point or reef, but the offshore wind will really help. Mark it as a promising one.

After that, the swell settles back to 5ft-7ft for the weekend of July 18th-19th, with light cross-shore winds. The energy is moderate (997-1447), and the surf will be clean in the mornings. Solid, consistent conditions for a good session. The last day, Monday, July 20th, is small and glassy with a 3ft-4ft SSW swell – perfect for a relaxed paddle out on a log.

So, the two true standouts are Thursday, July 9th and Thursday, July 16th for the big, clean, powerful SSW groundswell. If you’re an expert, get ready. For everyone else, Sunday, July 5th and Saturday, July 11th are your best bets for clean, fun waves.

Rusty.

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