The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty checkin’ in from The Heads. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.

Right now, there’s a bit of a slow start. The surf is pretty average through Wednesday and Thursday, with a 7ft SW swell but it’s cross-shore and feeling a bit messy. The water here is about 63°, right on the money for this time of year – nothin’ unusual there. The combined swell energy is around 1426 (moderate) but the conditions are just marginal, so don’t rush out yet.

Come Friday morning the 24th of July, things get more interesting. We’ve got an 12ft swell from the SSW with a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the ENE at just 3 mph, which will keep it clean. The combined energy jumps right up to 6105, which is strong. That’s the standout session for the week. But heads up – at 12ft, this is only for experienced surfers. It’s too big for beginners. The Heads is a sandbar setup, so that long period (16 seconds) could make it a bit straight at times, but with that clean wind, it’s a serious option.

After that, Saturday the 25th drops back to a 8ft SW swell, but the wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s okay but nothin’ special. Sunday morning the 26th brings offshore winds from the NNW at 6 mph and a 6ft SW swell – clean conditions, but the energy is lower (1205). Fun for a cruisy session if you’re keen.

The middle of the week, from the 28th to the 30th, is a mixed bag. Swell stays around 7ft to 8ft from the SSW, but the wind is mostly cross-shore and sometimes onshore, so the quality is just average. Not a standout period.

Then we hit Friday the 31st of July – glassy conditions in the morning, with a 6ft SW swell. The wind is dead calm. That’s a beautiful setup for a clean surf, even if the energy is moderate (1202). The afternoon stays glassy too, with a smaller 5ft swell. This is a nice little window for anyone who wants clean, manageable waves.

Saturday the 1st of August brings a surprise – glassy morning again, but the swell shifts to the ESE at 8ft with a short 8-second period. That’s a windswell, not a groundswell, so don’t expect big power. Still, with glassy conditions, it’s worth a look for intermediate surfers. The combined energy is 1485 (moderate).

Sunday the 2nd of August has a 7ft E swell with offshore NNW wind at 6 mph – clean, but the energy is lower (969). Not a standout.

The early part of the second week gets blown out. Monday the 3rd has strong winds (22 to 25 mph from the W) and the swell drops to 5ft. Poor conditions – more of a kite day than a paddle day. Tuesday the 4th is better with a cross-offshore wind and a 6ft E swell, but it’s nothing epic.

Wednesday the 5th of August is a beauty – glassy again, with a 7ft WSW swell and a 13-second period. The combined energy is 1786 (moderate). The forecast says “excellent for experienced surfers” – that’s a solid call. Clean, glassy, and a decent swell. That’s the second standout.

Then Thursday the 6th of August gets huge – a 15ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and combined energy of 11417 (very strong). That’s massive. The wind is cross-shore at 16 mph, so it’s not clean, but the size alone is dangerous. Only for experts, and even then, it’s a beast. The Heads might be too big to handle at that size.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Friday morning the 24th of July – big, clean, powerful groundswell. Second best is Wednesday the 5th of August – glassy, clean, and solid. Everything else is either average, blown out, or way too big. There’s a gap of a few days in early August where it’s just not worth it, but for a sandbar spot, it’s about right.

Rusty.

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