Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next couple of days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got tiny, weak swell and just ordinary conditions. The whole first week is a slow burn, but there are a couple of proper standouts coming our way if you’ve got the patience and the skill.

For the first few days, from Sunday the 19th through to Tuesday the 22nd, it’s all small stuff. We’re looking at knee-high waves from the SSW and SW, with combined energy sitting around 170 to 269 – that’s weak. The wind is okay, light and occasionally offshore, but the waves just don’t have the juice. Nothing to get excited about.

Wednesday the 22nd afternoon sees a little bump from the SW, with the swell picking up to 4ft and a period of 13 seconds. The energy kicks up to 431 (moderate), and the wind is cross-off, keeping it clean. It’s still marginal, but the first sign of life.

Now, Thursday the 23rd is where things get real. A big SW swell arrives, pushing 13ft with a 13-second period. The energy is a massive 6511 (very strong). This is the big one. Winki Pop is a reef and point, and it’s advanced territory. This swell is going to be too big for beginners, and it will be a serious session for experts only. The wind is cross-off in the morning, so it’ll be clean, but the sheer size will make it a battle. The crowd factor is often, so expect the lineup to be thick with the crew who can handle it. This is a standout for the experienced, no doubt about it.

The swell eases a bit on Friday the 24th, dropping to 7ft to 8ft from the SW, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-off, which will keep it clean but bumpy. Still big, still expert-only.

Saturday the 25th is a real sweet spot. The swell has eased to a very manageable 5ft to 6ft from the SSW and SW, with a 13-second period. The energy is moderate (679 to 996), and the wind is a light to gentle cross-off. This is the best of the first week for the average surfer – clean, punchy waves on the reef. It’s rated as very good conditions.

We then hit a lull. Sunday the 26th has small stuff, and from Monday the 27th through to the end of the month, it’s a write-off. Poor surf, strong winds, and messy conditions. That’s a solid 4-day gap of nothing worth paddling out for.

But then, hold on to your board. Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th deliver another massive pulse. Tuesday morning sees a 13ft SW swell with a 16-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is a colossal 8973 (very strong). The wind is offshore from the NW, 25 km/h, keeping it clean. Tuesday afternoon is still 10ft. This is a true deep-water swell, and at a reef and point like Winki Pop, it will hold up and produce some freight trains. This is the second standout, but it’s for the expert crew only. Wednesday the 29th morning eases to 7ft with offshore winds, still excellent for experienced surfers.

After that, it’s back to small, messy, and onshore from the 30th of July through to the 3rd of August. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

For the average punter, your best bet is Saturday the 25th. For the big-wave chargers, circle Thursday the 23rd and Tuesday the 28th.

Rusty.

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