The South Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s get real about the South Jetty. We’ve got a 16-day window, and I gotta be honest with you – the first few days are a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a gap of just over a week before things start to look even remotely interesting. From the 28th of July through to the 3rd of August, it’s mostly small, messy, and cross-onshore. Don’t bother checking the cam until later.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday morning, July 29th. The South Jetty is looking at a glassy surface with the wind dropping to nothing. Swell is a tiny 3ft from the SE with a period of 7 seconds. The combined wave energy is weak, at 96. It’s surfable, but it’s ordinary. The water temp is 76°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Not a standout, but it’s the first clean look we get.

The better option in that early window is Thursday morning, July 30th. The wind goes offshore from the NW at 15 km/h, cleaning up a 2ft SE swell. The period is 8 seconds, and the energy is a weak 63. It’s small, but clean. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window.

Then we hit the doldrums again. From Friday morning through to Monday morning, the 3rd of August, it’s a mix of onshore junk and tiny, weak swells. A few of those mornings, like the 3rd of August, have glassy conditions, but the swell is only 2ft from the SSE. The energy is low at 83. It’s a surfable wave, but it’s not going to get the heart pumping. It’s a classic “if you’re in the water anyway” kind of deal.

The one true standout, and I mean the only one worth circling on the calendar, is the afternoon of Monday, August 3rd. The South Jetty gets a bump of energy, with a 4ft swell from the south. The combined energy climbs to 160, which is moderate. The period is just 7 seconds, so it’s a bit of a windswell, but the size is there. The catch? The wind is cross-onshore from the south at 15 km/h, making it choppy. It’s not perfect, but it’s the biggest, most energetic swell of the entire 16-day run. If you’re an expert who doesn’t mind a bit of texture, this is the session.

After that, it’s back to the desert. From the 4th of August onward, the swell drops back to tiny 1.0ft to 3ft junk, mostly with cross-on or onshore winds. The 11th of August afternoon shows a 4ft swell from the ENE, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy at 20 km/h. The energy is 151, so there’s some push, but the wind ruins it. The 12th of August is the same story – small, onshore, and not worth the drive.

Overall, the South Jetty is a beach and jetty setup, and with the onshore winds and small, short-period swells, it’s a tough call. The crowds are sometimes there, but with this quality, you’ll likely have it to yourself. For the kite surfers, the afternoon of August 3rd with the 4ft south swell and cross-onshore breeze might actually look more interesting than for a paddle surfer.

That’s the long and short of it. Not a classic run, but the forecasts can change. Keep the wax handy.

Rusty.

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