Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

The first real action is this Friday morning, July 17th, and it kicks off with a bang. We’ve got a solid SW groundswell rolling in at 5ft with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy is way up there at 1368 (moderate). That’s serious energy for a reef and point set-up like Winki Pop. The wind is light offshore from the NNW, so it’s going to be clean. This is advanced territory—don’t even think about it if you’re not confident. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.

Friday afternoon turns glassy with a light WSW breeze at 5 km/h, and the swell drops just a touch to 5ft, still with that long 16-second pulse. The energy is still solid at 1202 (moderate). This is the one to aim for if you want silky conditions. The swell is coming from the SW, which is right on the optimum for this spot.

Saturday morning, July 18th, is still okay with a 3ft SW swell and 14-second period, energy down to 382 (moderate). Clean with a light offshore. But it’s trending down. By Saturday afternoon it’s 3ft, and Sunday is small—2ft. The whole start of the next week (Monday 20th through Wednesday 22nd) is pretty weak, with waves hovering around 2ft to 3ft. The energy is low, under 253 (weak). It’s surfable but nothing to get excited about.

Then Thursday July 23rd gets ugly. A 30-40 km/h cross/cross-off wind from the SW and WSW brings in a messy 7ft short-period swell. That’s a write-off. Friday July 24th sees a bigger SSW swell at 7ft with a 15-second period, energy at 1648 (strong), but the wind is cross-off and the conditions are only marginal. It’s a lot of water but not clean.

The standout for the whole run is Thursday July 30th. The morning session is where it’s at. An 8ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period, and the energy is massive at 4117 (strong). The wind is glassy from the west at 5 km/h. That is a rare combination—big, powerful, long-period swell and dead calm. This is expert-only territory at 8ft, but for those who can handle it, that’s the pick of the entire forecast. The crowd situation at Winki Pop is listed as “often” busy, so expect company if you paddle out there.

Friday July 31st is still very good, with a 6ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and clean offshore NW wind. Energy at 1831 (strong). That’s a solid finisher to the month.

There is a gap of small or poor surf from the afternoon of July 18th through to the morning of July 23rd, and then again from the 24th through the 29th, but it’s not a total flat spell—just not worth the drive.

The last few days of the forecast (August 1st) drop off again with weak onshore wind and small waves.

Stay sharp, pick your window, and don’t sleep on that Thursday the 30th.

Rusty.

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