The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up for The Heads, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag with some tricky winds, but the real magic is waiting for us if we’re patient.

The forecast kicks off with a decent 6 ft swell from the ESE on Sunday morning, and with the wind going glassy, it’s clean as a whistle. The energy is moderate (802), so you’ll feel it but it won’t be a paddle battle. This is a nice way to start the week, but the afternoon gets a bit messy with a light cross-shore, so get out early.

Monday morning, the 3rd of August, is looking prime. The swell holds at 6 ft from the ESE, the period stretches to 11 seconds, and the wind is glass again. The energy is stronger (1331), and the waves will have more shape and push. This is the standout of the first few days. The afternoon sees a little cross-shore bump, but morning is your window.

Tuesday the 4th, the swell drops to 4 ft from the SW, but the wind goes offshore from the North at 15 km/h. The waves will be clean and lined up. It’s not big, but for a morning session on a longboard or a fish, it’ll be fun. The energy is still moderate (739).

Wednesday the 5th brings a bit of a change. The swell is small in the morning (3 ft) but the period jumps to 15 seconds, which is proper groundswell. The wind is cross-onshore though, so it’ll be a little bumpy. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 6 ft with a 16-second period and the energy is pumping (1744), but again, the wind is on it. It’s not the cleanest, but there’s serious power in the water.

Now, Thursday the 6th is where it gets heavy. The swell is 10 ft from the SW, with a 13-second period. The energy is huge (3205). This is expert territory. The wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a bit of a battle, and the waves will be big, raw, and messy. Not for the faint of heart.

Friday the 7th of August is the real highlight. The swell drops to a still-very-serious 8 ft from the SW, with a 14-second period. The energy is massive (2920), but the wind goes cross-offshore from the NE at 10 km/h. The forecast says this is excellent for experienced surfers, and I’m calling it: this is the best session on offer. The waves will be big, powerful, and clean. This is a serious paddle for a serious reward. Get out there if you’ve got the nerve.

The weekend of the 8th and 9th is a write-off for most. The swell is way too big (12 ft to 20 ft) and the wind is onshore or cross-shore. The energy numbers are ridiculous (up to 12216), but it’s just a washing machine out there. Kite surfers might have a field day, but for paddle surfing, it’s a no-go.

The following week has a couple of interesting windows. Monday the 10th is a bit of a drop-off. Tuesday the 11th of August is another good one. The swell is 6 ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and the wind is glassy. The energy is high (1514), and it’s clean. A solid choice for a Tuesday morning.

The 14th and 15th are also promising. Friday the 14th has 8 ft from the SW with a light cross-offshore wind, and Saturday the 15th has a glassy 8 ft from the SW. Both are in the “excellent for experienced” category. The 16th (Sunday) looks great too, with offshore winds and a 8 ft SSW swell.

So, to sum it up: the best of the best is Friday the 7th of August morning. The swell is big, the period is long, and the wind is clean. If you miss that, Tuesday the 11th and Saturday the 15th are your next best bets. The rest of the time, you’ll be picking through wind chop or dealing with huge, messy surf.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Read more