Wanjapu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checkin’ in from the coast. Well, look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—this 16-day window’s a tough one. We’ve got a solid run of swell, but the wind’s been a real pain, and the quality’s taken a hit. The only spot on the cards is Wanjapu, a consistent advanced reef break that’s exposed to the SW swell. The water’s about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off Wednesday, July 8th, with a proper SW groundswell coming in at 6ft with a 15-second period—that’s long-period energy, which means bigger, more powerful lines. The combined energy’s strong at 1608, but the wind’s a cross-shore 12 mph from the SE, so the surface is a bit chopped. It’s not clean, and the tide’s questionable, which is why the surfing’s marginal. The swell holds through Thursday, July 9th, with 7ft in the morning and 6ft in the afternoon, but that SE wind picks up to 19 mph by the arvo, making it lumpy. The energy’s up there—2005 and 1869—but the wind’s just not lettin’ us have the good stuff.

Friday, July 10th, the swell backs off a little to 5ft in the morning, but the period jumps to 18 seconds—very long-period groundswell. That’s a proper clean-up set potential, but the cross-shore wind’s still there at 12 mph. The morning’s a bit cleaner, but the afternoon’s bumpy again. Saturday, July 11th, is the best of the early lot. The swell’s 6ft with a 15-second period, and the wind’s dropped to 9 mph, a gentle cross-shore. The combined energy’s 1281, and it’s the cleanest we’ve seen. Still marginal, but if you’re keen, that Saturday morning is your best bet in the first week.

By Sunday, July 12th, the swell starts to fade—4ft with a 14-second period, and the wind’s light cross-on from the SSE at 3 mph. The energy’s down to 569, and it’s just not worth it. Monday, July 13th, is even smaller at 3ft, and the period’s still 13 seconds. The energy’s weak at 599. Tuesday, July 14th, brings a bit of a tease—the morning’s tiny at 3ft, but the afternoon sees a 5ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, and for the first time, the wind turns cross-off from the ESE at 16 mph. The combined energy’s 1756, and it’s clean. That Tuesday afternoon is the standout for the whole period—strong, long-period groundswell, clean conditions, and the best quality we’ll see. But keep in mind, it’s an advanced reef, and 5ft with that period can be a handful.

Wednesday, July 15th, the swell’s back to 6ft with a 16-second period, but the wind’s cross-shore again. The energy’s 1718, but the morning’s light and clean, while the afternoon’s chopped. Thursday, July 16th, has 5ft with a 15-second period, and the afternoon’s clean with a cross-off wind, but it’s not as strong. Friday, July 17th, the swell drops to 5ft, and the wind’s fresh and lumpy by the arvo. Saturday, July 18th, holds 5ft, but the wind’s cross-shore and the energy’s 1177—nothing special.

Sunday, July 19th, is fading fast—5ft with 14-second period, and the wind’s 12-16 mph from the SE. It’s messy. Monday, July 20th, we get a pulse of 7ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind’s blowing 19 mph from the SE, so it’s lumpy. That’s too big for beginners, and the wind’s ruining it. Tuesday, July 21st, is still 6ft, but the wind’s cross-shore and the quality’s poor. By Wednesday, July 22nd, the swell’s dropped to 4ft, and the energy’s weak at 448. Thursday, July 23rd, it’s 2ft and done.

So, the real standout is Tuesday, July 14th, afternoon. That 5ft SSW groundswell with a 17-second period and clean cross-off wind is the cleanest, most powerful swell we’ve got. The rest is a grind—persistent cross-shore winds and marginal tide conditions. If you’re an advanced surfer, chase that Tuesday arvo. Otherwise, it’s a lot of waiting for not much.

Rusty.

Read more