The Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for The Spit. To be straight up with you, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and messy for the most part. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions ahead, but there might be a couple of windows worth keeping an eye on.

The Spit is a river mouth, exposed to easterly swell, and it’s a consistent spot, though it’s often crowded. The water temp is sitting at 69°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We’re starting off with nothing to recommend. Thursday the 23rd has some clouds and a weak 3ft easterly swell with a short 8-second period, but the onshore breeze and poor surf conditions mean it’s a no-go. Friday the 24th through to the end of the month is a real write-off. We’re looking at small, weak swells, cross-shore and onshore winds, and a lot of choppy, lumpy water. The energy is consistently low, with values like 93 and 47 (weak wave energy), and the waves are just not surfable. Saturday the 26th of July morning has a brief moment of glassy conditions with a 2ft easterly swell, but it’s so tiny and weak it’s barely worth paddling for. That’s the only slight glimmer in a very long, dry spell.

The first week of August doesn’t bring much relief. Light rain and fresh to strong cross-onshore winds keep things messy. The swell energy starts to ramp up, like on the 1st of August with 247 (moderate wave energy), but the wind is ruining it. The only true standout, and I mean the one to circle on your calendar, is Monday morning the 3rd of August. The forecast is showing a solid 8ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1326 (strong wave energy). The wind is a moderate cross-shore, and the description says "wind and tide favorable." However, the warning is there: this swell is predicted to be too big for The Spit. At 8ft, that’s pushing into expert-only territory, and for a river break, it could be a washing machine. The afternoon gets even bigger at 8ft, but with a strong breeze and messy cross-chop, it’s a write-off again.

After that, the middle of August gets huge but ugly. The 5th of August has a massive 12ft swell from the SSE with a long 11-second period, and energy readings of 3612 and 3789 (very strong wave energy). That’s serious power, but with fresh cross-onshore winds, it’s going to be a lumpy, blown-out mess. This setup looks more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers. The following days, the 6th and 7th of August, have some big swells (6ft to 12ft) and long periods up to 14 seconds, but the winds are never quite right, leaving it marginal at best.

So, the long and short of it: we have a gap of nearly two weeks with no decent surf. The only real standout is that Monday morning, the 3rd of August, with a powerful swell and favorable wind, but it’s likely too big for this break. If you’re an expert and you’ve got a big board, it might be your only chance. Otherwise, the forecasts can change, so keep your eyes peeled.

Rusty.

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