Thousand Steps Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a stretch that’s a bit of a slow burner, but there’s a flicker of light at the end. The pattern starts off pretty average, but those later days have a bit of a pulse building.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a lull. The first few days are a struggle. Saturday the 18th, we’ve got tiny 2ft swells from the SW with an 18-second period, which is a seriously long interval for a wave that small. The wind is on it, so it’s just not doing much. The combined energy is weak, sitting around 299, and it’s labelled as poor. You’d be fighting for a dribble.

Sunday the 19th is a little better, with the swell lifting to 3ft from the S, but the period drops to 13 seconds. The energy ticks up to 513, which is still just moderate, and the commentary says it’s marginal. The wind is still on it. It’s not worth getting too excited about yet.

Monday the 20th sees a bit more size, 4ft from the SSW, but the period drops to 11 seconds. The wind goes cross-on, and the energy is moderate at 407. It’s still a marginal call. By Tuesday the 21st, the wind stays cross-on and gets a bit stronger, 15 km/h, and the energy climbs to 703. The 4ft SW swell is there, but it’s choppy and the score is low. Honestly, the first week is pretty grim for a proper paddle.

Now, if you’re a kite surfer, this whole stretch from about the 20th to the 23rd might look more interesting than for a surfer. The wind is cross-on and the swell is a messy, inconsistent mix.

The real hope starts building around Saturday the 25th. The swell jumps to 4.3ft from the SSW, with a 14-second period, and the energy rockets up to 1244. That’s strong energy. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the SSW, so it’s not glassy, but it’s manageable. The commentary is still “marginal,” but the numbers are starting to talk.

The standout window begins Sunday the 26th. The morning has 4ft of SSW swell, with the wind turning onshore and light. The energy is 1022. But the afternoon on the 26th is where it gets interesting—3ft from the SSW with a massive 18-second period, and the energy is 1058. The wind is onshore and light, glassy potential. This is a long-period groundswell, and for a reef break like Thousand Steps, that’s a good thing. It’ll wrap in nicely, though the sets will be fat and widely spaced. Paddling out will be easier between sets.

Monday the 27th is the best on offer. The morning has 4ft from the SSW, 18-second period, with light onshore wind. The energy is 1124. The afternoon holds 4ft from the SSW, but the period stretches to 19 seconds and the energy hits 1232. That’s very strong energy. The wind is light and onshore. This is a solid, clean groundswell for the reef. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no drama there.

Tuesday the 28th stays similar in size, 4.3ft, but the wind goes cross-on and the energy is up to 1363. It’s good, but the wind takes a little shine off. The crowd factor at Thousand Steps is listed as “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it’s not a circus.

After that, it fades. The 29th and 30th drop to 4ft, the energy backs off, and by the 31st we’re back to 3ft and poor conditions. The 1st of August is tiny, 2.6ft, and by the 2nd it’s a pathetic 1.3ft. The run is over.

So, the real call here is Monday the 27th of July. That’s your standout. The morning is good, but the afternoon is your best bet: 4ft of SSW groundswell, a 19-second period, and light, glassy onshore wind. This is a reef break, so that long period swell will work in its favor, giving you clean, lined-up waves. The energy is strong at 1232. It’s not a beginner wave; at 4ft, it’s fine for intermediates, but the long period will make it powerful. Get out there.

Stay frothy.

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