The Well Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at the 16-day window for The Well. It’s a reef setup, advanced only, and it’s exposed to the south. The water temperature is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The opening session kicks off on Monday afternoon, the 20th of July. We’ve got a solid 5ft swell ticking in from the southwest, with a long 15-second period on it. The combined energy is moderate (1004), and we’ve got a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the NNW holding it clean. The waves will have some real shape and power to them, but don’t be fooled by the size; this is a wave for experienced surfers only. It’s a promising start.

Tuesday the 21st sees the swell jump up. Morning brings 8ft from the WSW, with a 13-second period, and the energy rockets up to 2187. That’s stout, and it’s already getting into the zone where it’s too big for anyone but the experts. The wind stays cross-off from the NNW, so it’s clean, but the tide and conditions are a bit questionable. The afternoon is similar, with 8ft and 1793 energy. It’s still surfable for the right crew, but it’s not the best of the window.

The real standout, the one that’s got my heart pumping, is coming up on Monday the 28th of July. The Tuesday morning has a 18ft southwest swell with a long 16-second period, but the energy is monstrous at 18258. That’s huge, and it’s going to be absolutely charging. The wind is cross-off from the NW, keeping it clean. Now, this is only for the elite – that size is well over 8ft, so it’s expert territory. It’s a proper groundswell with that 16-second period, and at a reef, it’s going to be a freight train. The Wednesday afternoon, the 29th, also looks excellent, with 16ft, a 14-second period, and clean cross-off wind from the NW, energy at 9643. That’s another big, powerful day.

The first week, from the 21st to the 25th, is a bit of a mixed bag. The swell gets wild and the wind turns onshore and cross-onshore, making a mess of things. From Wednesday afternoon the 22nd right through to Sunday the 26th, the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, and the waves are big and lumpy. It’s not going to be pretty. This is a reef, so with that much wind and size, it’s going to be more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle session.

For the second week, things settle down a bit. The 1st of August brings a clean 10ft southwest swell with a 14-second period and offshore wind from the NNE. That’s a solid, clean day for the experienced crew. The 4th of August offers a smaller, cleaner option with 6ft from the south, 11-second period, and a light cross-off breeze. It’s a much more manageable size, but it’s still a reef and requires skill.

The absolute best bet, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th of July. That’s a big, clean, powerful swell, but it’s only for the brave. The Saturday the 1st of August is a close second, with cleaner conditions and a solid size.

If you’re not an expert, the window is a write-off. The Well is not a beginner’s wave. It’s a heavy, consistent reef that demands respect.

Rusty.

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