Turtle Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you – this stretch at Turtle Cove is a bit of a mixed bag, and we’re in for a slow start. The first few days are pretty grim, but there’s a couple of windows that’ll get your hopes up if you’re patient.

We kick off on Saturday the 25th of July and it’s a no-go. Onshore breezes from the ENE and ESE are blowing straight into the waves, with a weak 3ft swell from the ESE at a short, gutless 7-second period. The combined energy is only 97 to 126 (weak to moderate), and the surf is poor. Sunday the 26th isn’t much better – still cross-onshore, choppy, and messy with similar waist-high dribble. Monday the 27th morning is dead flat with a 3ft swell and hardly any energy (64), but Monday afternoon sees a switch to a light S cross-off breeze. The waves are still tiny at 3ft from the ESE, but it cleans up a bit – still, it’s only just surfable, very ordinary.

Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are write-offs. The wind cranks up hard from the SE and ESE, with gusts up to 35 km/h, and the swell jumps to 7ft on Wednesday afternoon but it’s a lumpy, wind-chopped mess. The energy spikes to 470 (moderate), but it’s all cross-onshore garbage. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddler’s dream.

Now, Thursday the 30th of July is where things get interesting. The morning has a bit of size with a 7ft swell from the NE, but it’s still cross-off with a fresh breeze. Then Thursday afternoon, the wind swings to the W at 20 km/h, going offshore, and the swell drops to a cleaner 4ft from the SSE with a 9-second period. The combined energy hits 358 (moderate), and the conditions are clean with a moderate offshore breeze. This is a standout – Turtle Cove (reef and point) likes that SE optimum swell direction, and this SSE swell is close enough to get some nice, lined-up waves. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. It’s a reef-and-point break, so that longer 9-second period will push through with some shape, but watch for crowds as they can be sometimes around.

Friday the 31st of July is a letdown – the swell fades to 3ft-3ft from the S, still offshore but weak, with energy dropping to 134 and 93 (weak). Saturday the 1st of August is similar, tiny 2ft-3ft waves, clean but ordinary. Sunday the 2nd of August is a dud again with onshore crosswinds and a short-period S swell.

Then Monday the 3rd of August delivers the second real chance. Morning shows a clean 4ft swell from the S with a 9-second period, a gentle offshore from the W at 15 km/h, and combined energy of 269 (moderate). The conditions are described as good surf. This is a solid option – clean, offshore, and the reef at Turtle Cove will turn that S swell into some nice peeling waves. Afternoon stays clean with a light SSW cross-off. This is the best of the second week, but it’s over a week out, so take it as promising but not locked in.

After that, we fade out. Tuesday the 4th of August to Sunday the 9th of August is mostly small, weak, or wind-affected. There’s a brief moment on Thursday the 6th of August morning with a 4ft SSW swell and offshore wind, but it’s only ordinary. The rest is under 3ft with poor conditions. The run ends with a whimper.

So, the two standouts are Thursday the 30th of July afternoon and Monday the 3rd of August. If you can only pick one, Thursday the 30th has that offshore wind and a bit more push, but Monday the 3rd is cleaner and more consistent. Get out there if you can.

Rusty.

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