Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s shaping up for Winki Pop.

We’ve got a solid week of clean, powerful groundswell coming in over the next few days, starting Thursday the 13th. The water’s currently sitting at about 56°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

It kicks off Thursday morning with a solid 7ft SW groundswell, period a touch under 16 seconds. The energy’s pumping at 2444 (moderate to strong) and the wind is a cross-off W at 12 mph, keeping it clean. This is advanced territory at that size, with that long period making for some serious, lined-up waves on the reef and point. Crowds are often an issue, so get out early. The morning is the pick. Afternoon stays good, wind drops to 9 mph, still cross-off.

Friday the 14th keeps the party going. Another day of 7ft SW swell, 16-second period, wind again cross-off from the W in the morning. Still big, still powerful, still for experienced surfers only. The afternoon sees the wind swing to the SW at 9 mph, going cross-shore, and the quality takes a slight dip.

Saturday the 15th is your real standout. The swell has eased a touch to 6ft from the SW, but it’s still got decent period (15 seconds). The big news is the wind: glassy, dead calm in the morning from the SSE at just 3 mph. That’s as clean as it gets. The energy is still strong at 1474. This is the best session of the run for anyone who can handle it. Afternoon gets a bit messy with a light cross-onshore.

We see a real drop-off from Sunday the 16th through to the following Sunday the 23rd. Swell sizes tumble to around 1ft to 4ft. There are a few moments of clean conditions, like Thursday the 20th afternoon with a glassy 3ft SW swell and low energy (352), but it’s small and weak. You’ll be scratching around for scraps.

Then, it gets interesting again. On Monday the 24th, a new pulse of SW groundswell arrives, hitting 5ft with a 15-second period and strong energy (1216) but it’s blowing a fresh 19 mph NW offshore. That is a trade-off. The wind keeps it clean, but that’s a lot of breeze. Wednesday the 26th morning brings another 7ft SW swell, but then it gets ugly that afternoon as a 22 mph cross-shore wind smashes things, with the energy jumping to 4211 and big chop.

The biggest and most dangerous wave of the whole outlook hits Thursday the 27th morning: a massive 15ft SW groundswell with energy at 14406 (very strong) and a 12 mph cross-onshore wind. This is expert-only, serious business. The afternoon eases off, and then Friday the 28th morning finishes the run on a glassy note with a clean 5ft SSW swell and gentle offshore conditions – a nice end to the story.

For the best overall window, I’m pointing at Saturday morning the 15th. That glassy session on a solid, clean 6ft SW groundswell is as good as it gets. For something later in the run, keep an eye on Friday morning the 28th – smaller but glassy and clean.

Stay safe out there, especially on those bigger days. This is Rusty, signing off.

Read more