Woolgoolga Back Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Woolgoolga Back Beach are a real mixed bag, and you’ll have to be patient. There’s almost nothing worth paddling out for in the first week, with a run of onshore slop, rain, and messy high-energy conditions. But hang in there, because the second week, especially the last few days, actually starts to clean up and offer some proper surfable waves.

The week kicks off with tiny, weak swell and glassy conditions on Monday morning, but the swell is only 2 ft from the ESE with a short period of 8 seconds and very weak energy (79). It’s just not enough to get excited about. Tuesday is even smaller. By Wednesday, the wind swings onshore and the swell picks up to 4 ft, but it’s short-period slop from the south with moderate wind chop. Wednesday afternoon gets worse – a 6 ft SSE swell with 35 km/h cross-onshore winds and messy energy (392). That pattern of lumpy, cross-onshore garbage continues through Thursday, Friday, and into Saturday, with combined energy climbing into the 400s and 500s. Sunday morning the 19th of July sees a 8 ft ESE swell (1863 energy), but it’s onshore and too big and messy for most – that’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s not clean.

The real turn comes on Wednesday the 23rd of July. The morning is glassy, with a 3 ft swell from the east, period 9 seconds, and only 169 energy. It’s small but clean. Then Friday the 24th of July morning is a standout: glassy conditions again, 3 ft from the east, period 10 seconds, and that combined energy jumps to 269. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” and with the wind dead calm, this is your best bet for a clean, fun session. The east swell is right in the optimum direction for this break, so the waves should have a bit of shape.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of July mornings are also looking promising. Saturday morning brings a gentle offshore breeze from the NNW, 3 ft of east swell, period 11 seconds, and 295 energy. Sunday morning is similar: 3 ft from the east, 12-second period, offshore wind, and 296 energy. That longer period (12 seconds) means the waves will have more punch and better shape, with longer gaps between sets – perfect for a relaxed paddle out. Just keep an eye on the tide, as the afternoons can get a bit marginal.

The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Overall, the first week is a write-off – you’re looking at at least six days of poor to terrible surf. The standout is the morning of Friday the 24th of July, with glassy conditions and clean 3 ft east swell. Saturday and Sunday mornings are also solid options. If you can wait, the second week delivers.

Rusty

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