Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf coming up at Winki Pop, a reef and point set-up that handles a fair bit of swell. This spot’s a consistent performer and it’s got plenty of action lined up over the next couple of weeks, but we’ve got to pick our moments for the best conditions. Water temp’s sitting at 56.5°F right now, which is about normal for the time of year, so nothing out of the ordinary there.

The run kicks off Saturday morning, 1st of August, with a clean 2.3ft south-west swell rolling in at a long 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and with a light north-north-east breeze keeping it cross-off, the wave energy is moderate (527). It’s small, but the quality is there for a confident surfer. The real standout comes later that same Saturday afternoon – the swell builds to a solid 4.6ft from the same south-west direction, still with that 17-second period, and the wind drops right back to a near-calm north-north-west breeze. The combined energy jumps to 1724, which is strong, and the conditions are clean and glassy. This is easily the best session of the first week: a powerful, long-period south-west swell with glassy wind on a point break. That’s a proper session.

Sunday the 2nd keeps the 4.6ft south-west swell with a 16-second period, but the wind picks up to a moderate 12 to 16 mph from the north. It’s still cross-off, but the extra breeze drops the quality into marginal territory. The energy is moderate (987 and 776). Monday the 3rd brings a 3.6ft south-west swell at 15 seconds, with a fresh 19 mph west-north-west offshore wind in the morning – that’s clean and punchy, but the energy is only moderate (817) and it’s paired with some clouds and light rain later. Tuesday the 4th sees a bigger pulse: 7.5ft south-west swell at 12 seconds in the morning, with moderate energy (1793). It’s clean, but the period’s shorter, and it’s pushing into the big range – this is expert territory. The afternoon turns ugly with a 16 mph south-west cross-shore and rain.

Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th drop right back to tiny 1.6ft to 2.0ft south-west swells. Very weak energy (between 181 and 424). Thursday afternoon goes glassy with a 16-second period, so if you’re desperate for a longboard and no wind, it’s there, but it’s not worth the drive. Friday the 7th picks up again to a clean 3.6ft south-west swell at 16 seconds with light wind, energy hitting 697 to 738 – a decent morning session but not the standout.

Now we hit a big gap. From Saturday the 8th through to Monday the 10th, the surf turns poor. The wind is strong – 16 to 19 mph from the north and then swinging south-west – and the swell drops to 1.3ft to 2.6ft. Energy is weak (185 to 664). Don’t bother.

The second week kicks off with a ripper. Tuesday the 11th of August starts with a 4.6ft south-west swell at 16 seconds, clean with light north-north-west offshore wind (energy 952). Then Tuesday afternoon goes absolutely mental: a 9.8ft south-west swell at 14 seconds, with glassy east-north-east wind. The combined energy is a massive 4396 – that’s very strong. This is for experts only; it’s big, powerful, and will be surging through the reef. Wednesday the 12th stays huge with another 9.8ft south-west swell at 13 seconds in the morning, glassy west-north-west wind, energy 4083. Same warning – only for the well-experienced. The afternoon gets a bit tricky with an onshore breeze.

Thursday the 13th drops to a still-sizeable 7.2ft to 7.5ft south-west swell at 12 seconds, but a moderate westerly breeze keeps it cross-off in the morning (energy 2021) before turning to a messy cross-shore in the afternoon. Friday the 14th is a beauty: a 7.9ft south-south-west swell at a long 16 seconds, with glassy south wind in the morning. Energy is 3610 – very strong. This is another expert-only session, but the quality is top shelf.

Saturday the 15th sees a cleaner 5.6ft south-south-west swell at 15 seconds with a light offshore north-west wind, energy 1145 – that’s a solid, fun session for strong surfers. Sunday the 16th wraps it up with a tiny 3.0ft south-south-west swell at a very long 18 seconds, glassy calm, but energy is still moderate (1021). It’ll be clean but small.

For the real standouts, I’d be circling Saturday afternoon the 1st of August for a clean, mid-range south-west swell with glassy wind – that’s your pick for a fun session without the big-wave hassle. And for the thrill-seekers, Tuesday afternoon the 11th of August and Friday morning the 14th of August are

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