Thompsons Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it.

Gotta be straight with you – the next week or so is looking pretty grim for Thompsons Bay. We're stuck with a cross-shore wind pattern that just won't let up. That combined swell energy is all over the shop, much of it moderate to strong, but it's not translating into anything clean. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

Starting Tuesday the 28th of July, we've got a storm risk and rainy showers with a moderate breeze. Swell comes in around 3ft to 7ft from the SSW and S, but the period is all over the place – a very long 18 seconds on Tuesday morning dropping to a short 6 seconds in the afternoon. The wind is cross-on or cross, so it's choppy. Nothing worth paddling out for.

Wednesday the 29th through to Friday the 31st is more of the same: height builds to 8ft from S and SSE, but it's all cross-shore wind in a moderate to strong breeze. The wave comment is "poor surf conditions" across the board. The swell energy is strong, but with the wind demolishing it, there's no joy.

Saturday the 1st of August is the first time we see a slight improvement. The wind swings onshore from the ESE and eases to a light breeze. Swell is around 7ft to 7ft from the ESE with a 9 to 10 second period. The conditions are described as "fairly choppy" on Saturday morning. This is marginal at best.

Sunday the 2nd of August is actually the standout window in this entire outlook. The morning shows clear skies, a light breeze from the NE (6 mph) with a cross-shore wind. Swell is 7ft from the E with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is strong. The wind description is "light cross-shore with small crossing wind ripples," which is about the cleanest it's going to get. This session has the best chance for some workable waves. By Sunday afternoon, the wind picks up to 16 mph, so aim for that morning session. The break is fairly consistent and can get crowded sometimes, which tells you it's a quality spot when it's on.

Monday the 3rd of August falls back away with a moderate cross-shore breeze. Tuesday the 4th is the same. After that, we hit a real lull. From Wednesday the 5th of August onward, the swell drops significantly to 3ft to 3ft. The energy falls into the weak category.

One slight spark: Wednesday afternoon the 5th of August. The wind goes glassy, and the swell is tiny at 3ft from the ESE with a 9-second period. It's "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," so it’s a longboard or handplane kind of session only.

Moving into the second week, the first real promise comes on the 10th of August Monday, but the swell jumps to 10ft from the ENE with a 9-second period and a very strong combined energy. That’s powerful, but it’s coupled with a fresh cross-shore breeze. That’s not for anyone but experienced surfers, and even then, it's lumpy. Tuesday the 11th of August morning shares the best wind setup of the late period: a cross-offshore breeze from the NNE at 16 mph with a clean water surface. Swell is 6ft from the E with a 10-second period and strong energy. That window is definitely promising, but being that far out, the forecast is less certain.

All in all, your best bet is the morning of Sunday the 2nd of August at Thompsons Bay. Get it before the crowds do. Tuesday morning the 11th of August is a long-range promise that could come through.

Rusty.

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