Woolgoolga Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up over the next couple of weeks at Woolgoolga. The first few days are pretty ordinary, but there are a couple of windows that look worth paddling out for. Let’s walk through it.

The first surf we can talk about is Monday morning, 20 July. There’s a solid 8ft swell from the ESE, with a period of 10 seconds, but the wind is a cross-shore from the SSE at 12 mph, and the combined swell energy is high at 1573. The water temp is 68°, which is about average for this time of year. The onshore flow is going to put a chop on it, so it’s not clean, and the tide might be tricky. The afternoon stays similar – 8ft from the E, still cross-shore, and the energy drops a bit to 1166. Honestly, the first day is a scratchy one.

Tuesday morning, 21 July, brings a little hope. The swell drops to 5ft from the E, period 10 seconds, but the wind swings to a cross-offshore from the SSW at 9 mph, and the energy is moderate at 542. The conditions are flagged as clean, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a standout morning for more experienced surfers – the 5ft size is still manageable for advanced crew, but it’s a bit much for beginners. The wind is light and clean, so it’ll be a good session. By the afternoon, the wind goes cross-shore and the energy drops, so don’t sleep on the morning.

Wednesday and Thursday drop off quickly. By Wednesday morning, 22 July, the swell is down to 4ft, period 9 seconds, and the wind is already turning cross-on. Thursday morning, 23 July, we get a glimmer – 3ft from the E, period 8 seconds, but the wind is glassy, and the energy is weak at 130. It’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon is poor.

Now, Friday 24 July isn’t great either – 5ft from the SSE in the morning, period a short 7 seconds, with a cross-off wind from the S at 16 mph. The energy is mod at 263, but the short period keeps it mushy. Not worth rushing.

Here’s the real standout: Saturday morning, 25 July. The swell is 4ft from the SSE, but the period jumps to a very long 14 seconds. That’s groundswell with proper energy – 573 in the combined energy. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the S at 6 mph, and the conditions are clean. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the best window in the first week. A 4ft, 14-second groundswell from the SSE is perfect for the beach-and-reef setup at Woolgoo. The long period means better shaped waves, longer gaps between sets, but it can break a bit straight on the beach – still, with the reef in play, it’ll be quality. The wind is light, so it’ll be glassy. This is the one to circle.

Sunday morning, 26 July, is also worth a look – 3ft from the SSE, 13 seconds, glassy with no wind, energy 370, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s smaller but still clean. The afternoon goes cross-on, so get it early.

The next week is a bit of a waiting game. Monday 27 July morning is clean with a 4ft, 10-second SSE swell and light cross-off wind – energy 222, decent but not standout. Tuesday 28 July is smaller and more average. Wednesday 29 July is tiny – 2ft, 10 seconds, clean but very ordinary.

Then, Thursday 30 July looks promising again. The morning has 4ft from the SSE, but the period is a very long 15 seconds, with a cross-off wind from the SSW at 16 mph, and the energy jumps to 1122. It’s clean, but the wind is a moderate breeze. The afternoon builds to 6ft from the SSE, period 17 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell, energy 1961. This is expert territory. At 6ft with a 17-second period, it’ll be powerful and lined up, but only for the advanced crew. Friday 31 July morning maintains a clean 4ft, 14-second swell, energy 752, but the wind is moderate. The real size is Thursday afternoon.

Saturday 1 August morning has 5ft from the SSE, 14 seconds, energy 942, and cross-off wind – still clean, still good for experts. The following days drop off quickly.

To wrap it up, the true standouts are Saturday morning, 25 July, with that 4ft, 14-second glassy groundswell, and Thursday afternoon, 30 July, with the 6ft, 17-second power. The first is the best for a wider range of experienced surfers; the second is for the big-wave crew. The crowd at Woolgoolga can be “sometimes” busy, so expect company on the good days.

Rusty.

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