The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for The Heads.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a quiet spell, but things are about to kick off properly. The first real action hits us this Friday morning, the 17th of July. The Heads is a sandbar break, fairly exposed to the swell, and it’s looking at a solid 8ft swell from the SW with a period of 12 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and with the wind going glassy, it’s going to be clean as a whistle. The combined swell energy is strong (1503), so there’s plenty of push. This is for experienced surfers only – the size is up there, and that long period will make the sets pack a punch. It’s a standout for the near term.

Friday afternoon it backs off a touch to 7ft, still glassy, still from the SW, and still very good. Saturday morning, the 18th, drops right down to 4ft with a cross-shore wind, so that’s a no-go. The whole weekend is pretty average, with a bit of size on Saturday afternoon (6ft) but the wind gets messy. Sunday stays small and choppy.

Monday the 20th shows some promise – a clean 6ft swell from the SSW in the morning with glassy conditions. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s a bit more short-period, but the wind is perfect. The energy is moderate (749). Not a stand-out day, but it’s a fun, clean option.

Then we get into a run of mixed conditions. Tuesday the 21st has a bigger 7ft swell from the SSW in the afternoon, with a very long 14-second period, but it’s cross-shore. The energy is strong (2095). The Heads is a sandbar, so that long period might make it a bit straight, but there’s power there. Wednesday the 22nd gets big – 8ft in the morning and 10ft in the afternoon, both from the SW, but the wind is cross or cross-onshore, and the afternoon gets choppy. The energy is very strong (4424 in the PM). That’s expert territory, but the wind isn’t doing any favours.

The real standout of the whole run is Friday the 24th of July. Morning glass, 10ft from the SW with a 16-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy is massive (4389). This is excellent for experienced surfers – it’s going to be a special morning at The Heads if you can handle the size. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Saturday the 25th morning is too big, at 12ft with a 17-second period, and the wind is cross-shore. The energy is huge (7010), but it’s more than most can handle. Sunday the 26th is even bigger, 15ft in the morning, with a 14-second period – that’s just huge, and the wind is onshore. It’s not a paddle surf situation; that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing.

The end of the month and into August peels back nicely. Monday the 27th has 6ft from the SW with a 14-second period and clean cross-off winds. Tuesday the 28th is a beauty: 3ft in the morning with a 20-second period and offshore wind, then 4ft in the afternoon with glassy conditions. That’s clean, long-period magic. The energy is still moderate (1697 and 1790), but the quality is high. The crowds are possible here, so get in early.

The first week of August starts with small, clean conditions – 3ft to 4ft, glassy, and pleasant. Not a big day, but a fun one for a log or a fish.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is hands-down Friday morning the 24th of July for the big, clean, powerful groundswell. The next best is Tuesday the 28th for the clean, long-period, smaller waves. The middle of the run has too much size and wind to be enjoyable for most.

Rusty.

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