The Pass Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty, and I'm looking at the forecast for The Pass over the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a mixed bag, so let's get into it.

We're starting off on Saturday the 18th with a bit of a messy scene. The wind is howling from the south at 22 mph, blowing cross-offshore, and while there's a solid 6ft ESE swell pushing through, the conditions are just poor. The energy is moderate (660), but the wind is ripping, making it a tough day out. That afternoon, it gets even bigger – 15ft from the SE with a strong breeze (3630) – but it's a real battle, and the forecast says the surf is marginal. Not one for the biscuit tin.

The next few days see a big shift. Sunday the 19th brings a persistent 15ft SE swell, but the wind swings offshore from the SSE at 22 mph. The energy is very strong (over 4500), and it's clean, but the size is massive. That's strictly for the experienced crew. It stays big and clean through Monday the 20th, with a 10ft ESE swell Monday morning and offshore winds, dropping to 8ft in the afternoon. The energy is still strong (1961 and 1422). This is a heavy, powerful ocean, and it's going to be a handful.

Now, Tuesday the 21st is where it gets interesting. The swell drops to a more manageable 7ft from the E, with a gentle offshore breeze from the SSE at 9 mph. The water temp is about 69°F, which is average for the time of year. The energy is still moderate (761), but the conditions are clean. This is your best window for a proper paddle. The 10-second period gives the waves some shape. It's still a good size, so it's not for the groms, but for the average surfer, this is the standout.

The swell fades after that. Wednesday the 22nd drops to 5ft, and the wind goes light and variable, but it's cross-shore, making it weak and messy. The energy is low (306). Thursday the 23rd is tiny, with 3ft and light winds, but it's a bit ordinary. The energy is only 132. We've got a bit of a lull here.

We get a little spike on Friday the 24th with a 10ft SSE swell, but the wind is cross-offshore from the S at 16 mph, and the energy is strong (1333). It's clean, but it's a big, windy mess again. That drops off over the weekend, with 5-6ft SSE swell and cross-off winds, but the energy is low (around 370). The surf is marginal.

Then we hit a major gap. From Sunday the 26th all the way through Thursday the 30th, the swell is pathetic. We're talking 1.0ft to 1ft, with energy in the tens. It's flat. There's a tiny bump on the 27th with a 3ft SSE swell and a 16-second period, but the energy is only 84. That long period will make it break straight at the beach, so it's not much use here.

Finally, the end of the window looks promising. On Saturday the 1st of August, we get a nice 8ft to 8ft NNE swell rolling in with a gentle offshore breeze from the SE at 9 mph. The energy is strong (681 and 1574), and the conditions are forecast to be excellent for experienced surfers. This is a real standout for the second week. It's a bit of a hike away, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Crowds at The Pass are often an issue, so with any decent swell, expect a packed lineup. But for the cleanest, most manageable size, Tuesday the 21st is your best bet. For the big stuff, the 1st of August is the one to circle.

Rusty.

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