The Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been lookin’ at this stretch of coast. The next few days are a total bust for a decent paddle – wind’s gonna be blowin’ cross-shore and messin’ everythin’ up. The Spit is a river break, exposed to the east, and it usually pumps, but right now it’s a write-off.

We’ve got a big dry spell. From Sunday, July 5th, right through to Friday, July 10th, it’s all poor surf. Sunday afternoon sees a weak 2 ft east swell with a short 10-second period, but that 30 km/h south wind has it chopped to bits. The combined wave energy is weak at 179 – nothin’ to get excited about. Water temp’s at 71°, which is pretty average for this time of year.

Monday the 6th through Wednesday the 8th brings bigger waves, but no good. We get 6 ft to 10 ft swells. Wednesday morning’s 10 ft SSE swell has some serious power – combined energy reads 3144, that’s strong. But it’s too big for The Spit, and the cross wind ruins it. Not a paddle – maybe a kite session.

Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th are still messy. Thursday morning’s 4 ft ESE swell with an 11-second period looks clean on paper, but the cross wind makes it poor. Thursday afternoon sees a 8 ft SSE swell – again too big. Friday morning’s 7 ft is the same story. Friday afternoon drops to 4 ft, but the wind goes cross-onshore – choppy junk.

After a long wait, Saturday, July 11th, gives us a little hope. In the morning, a light 5 km/h north-west cross-offshore wind will have that 3 ft SE swell (10-second period) lookin’ clean. The combined energy is weak at 167, so it’s not powerful, but you can get a few. The report calls it “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” The afternoon is crap again.

Sunday, July 12th – this is the first real standout. Morning session, The Spit gets a clean 3 ft ESE swell with an 11-second period, light 15 km/h north-west cross-offshore wind, and the report says “expect good surf conditions.” The energy is moderate at 269, and with clean lines and that river break, it’ll be fun. Crowds are possible – it’s “often” busy, so get there early.

Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are flat and weak – swells under 2 ft, low energy, nothin’ doin’. A couple of light offshore wind sessions, but the waves are too small.

Now, the second week gets interesting. Wednesday the 15th is tiny – forget it.

Thursday, July 16th morning – hell yeah. We’ve got a 6 ft SSE swell (9-second period) with a light 10 km/h west offshore wind. The combined energy is 639, moderate but punchy. The report says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s your top pick. Clean, offshore, decent size for The Spit – not too big for a confident surfer, and it won’t close out too straight. Get on it.

Friday, July 17th morning mirrors that – another 6 ft SSE swell, same clean offshore wind. Very good conditions again. Energy at 689. A solid second option.

Saturday, July 18th morning offers a 5 ft SE swell with a super long 14-second period. Pure groundswell – combined energy at 736. Light cross-offshore wind. The long period means longer lulls, but the river break should handle it well. Promising, but it’s a ways out, so keep an eye on it.

From Saturday afternoon onward, the swell drops and the wind picks up, so we’re back to ordinary or marginal surf right through to Monday, July 20th.

So, bottom line: don’t bother until Saturday, July 11th – and that’s average. Your two real standouts are Thursday, July 16th, and Friday, July 17th mornings – clean offshore wind, solid chest-to-head-high swell, and The Spit will be workin’. Saturday, July 18th morning is the long-range one to watch.

Rusty.

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