Watermans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way for Watermans over the next couple of weeks.

The overall pattern is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a solid pulse of swell arriving, but the wind is going to be the main character in this story, and it’s not always a friendly one. The water’s sitting at 65°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

The first real opportunity to get out is Wednesday afternoon, July 15th. It’s not huge, with a 5ft swell from the west-southwest, but the wind is a clean cross-off breeze from the north-northeast at 9 mph. The wave energy is moderate (1552), and the conditions are looking clean. It’s a good window to ease into the week.

Thursday the 16th gets a bit trickier. The swell builds to 5ft, but the wind swings around to a cross-shore from the north-northwest, picking up to 16 mph, making it lumpy. The energy is still moderate (1374), but the quality drops right off. The afternoon sees heavy rain and a rough 19 mph cross-wind, making it a write-off.

Friday the 17th offers a glimmer. The morning has a 6ft swell with a cross-off breeze from the north-northeast, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (1107). Worth a look if you can get out early. The afternoon turns ugly with a cross-onshore wind, so session’s over by lunchtime.

Now, the standout – and I mean the *standout* – is Saturday afternoon, July 18th. The swell jumps to a solid 13ft from the west-southwest, with a very long 16-second period. The wave energy is enormous (7081). This is big, powerful, groundswell. It’s going to be a handful, and with a gentle cross-onshore wind, it’s going to be fairly choppy and pushing. This is strictly for experts only. The set waves will be mean, and the paddle out will be a battle. If you’re not absolutely solid, give it a miss.

Sunday the 19th drops back to a still-sizeable 8ft, but the wind is light cross-onshore, creating small ripples. The energy is strong (2446). It’s still a bit messy but better than Saturday for the average surfer.

Monday morning, July 20th, brings a change. The swell drops to 6ft from the southwest, and the wind goes clean cross-off from the north-northeast at 6 mph. The energy is moderate (1044). This is a much better, cleaner prospect for experienced surfers.

The following week sees a steady drop in size. Tuesday and Wednesday (21st and 22nd) have smaller, cleaner windows, with Wednesday morning offering a 6ft WSW swell and light cross-off winds. The energy is moderate (1235). It’s solid, clean, and a good bet for a mid-week session.

Thursday the 23rd is another highlight. The morning has 6ft from the southwest with a clean cross-off breeze, and the afternoon is even better with 6ft and glassy conditions. The energy is moderate (1179 and 1114). Both sessions are a go.

The last few days of the month fade away. Friday the 24th has a nice glassy afternoon with 4ft, but it’s small. The weekend (25th and 26th) is tiny, with 3ft and 2ft – really just a longboard or funboard wave. The energy is weak (250 and 155). Not much to get excited about.

So, the best of the lot is Saturday afternoon, July 18th, with that massive 13ft, 16-second groundswell, but it’s a big, dangerous beast for experts only. For a cleaner, more manageable session, the winners are Monday morning, July 20th, and Thursday, July 23rd. The first week is the place to be.

Rusty.

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