Zenith Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a proper look at what’s shaping up for Zenith Beach.

Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a flat, quiet start. The first couple of days are small and not really worth the paddle. Tuesday the 21st is a write-off with a messy cross-on shore breeze and only 4ft of weak, short-period ENE swell that’s all chop and no shape – the combined energy is just 369 (moderate wave energy). Water temp is sitting at 67°, which is basically average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Wednesday the 22nd morning actually offers a glimmer of hope. The swell drops to 3ft from the ENE with a 10-second period, but the wind swings around to a light WNW cross-off (10 km/h / 6 mph), cleaning things right up. The combined energy is 231 (moderate wave energy), and the conditions are described as clean. It’s a small, workable wave for a beginner or longboard, especially with the very consistent nature of the break, but it’s not going to blow your mind. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday stay small and clean but ordinary, with the swell dropping below 3ft. Thursday afternoon goes glassy (WSW, 5 km/h / 3 mph), which is beautiful for the soul but the swell is barely there, with combined energy dropping to just 100 (weak wave energy). You’d be bobbing around more than riding.

Now, Friday the 24th is where things get interesting, but there’s a catch. The morning brings a jump to 8ft from the SSW, with a short 8-second period. The combined energy is a solid 1274 (strong wave energy). That’s a lot of water moving, but the period is short, meaning it’ll be lumpy and walled up. The wind is a clean cross-off, so it won’t be a mess, but with the swell size over 8ft later on Friday afternoon, this is firmly in the ‘experts only’ zone. The afternoon sees 8ft from the S at 11 seconds, energy up to 1472 (strong wave energy) – that’s a proper groundswell, but it’s big and powerful for this exposed beach break.

Saturday the 25th is the standout of the first week. The morning is 7ft from the S with 11-second period under clean WNW offshore winds (25 km/h / 16 mph) – combined energy of 1023 (strong wave energy). But the real gem is Saturday afternoon: 6ft, S swell, 11-second period, with a moderate W offshore breeze (20 km/h / 12 mph). The combined energy is 685 (moderate wave energy), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the session to aim for. The swell direction (S) matches the optimum for Zenith Beach (SE) closely enough, and with offshore winds, it’ll be lined up and clean. Crowds can be an issue here sometimes, so get out early or late.

Sunday the 26th holds onto some size (5ft to 6ft, S swell) but the rain showers and cross-off winds make it messy. It’s surfable for the confident, but not the pick of the week. Monday the 27th morning sees a drop back to 3ft from the S with a light offshore, but by afternoon the wind swings onshore and kills it. From Tuesday the 28th through Wednesday the 29th, it gets tiny and poor – a proper flat spell sets in.

Then we get a big warning for late July and early August. From Thursday the 30th of July through to Saturday the 1st of August, the swell pumps up to 10ft to 12ft from the S with a 12-second period. The combined energy readings are massive – 1904, 6577, 3275, 2854, 2514 (very strong wave energy). This is a dangerous, powerful swell for this exposed beach. The morning of Thursday the 30th is glassy, but the swell is far too big for this spot. The morning of Friday the 31st has a gentle offshore, again, just too much water. This is not paddle surfing; this is big-wave territory for experts only, or frankly, more interesting for kite surfing.

Sunday the 2nd of August sees the swell drop back to a manageable 5ft from the S (10 seconds) with clean light offshore winds (W, 10 km/h / 6 mph). Combined energy of 549 (moderate wave energy). This is a good, clean, solid option after the chaos. The Monday and Tuesday after that offer small, clean waves around 3ft to 3ft under glassy or light offshore conditions, nice for a longboard.

So, the bottom line? The best on offer is Saturday the 25th of July afternoon. That 6ft S swell with offshore wind will be clean, fun, and has the best quality rating in the period. The second pick is Sunday the 2nd of August morning – a solid 5ft S swell under light offshore winds, a nice clean reset after the big stuff. The huge swell from the 30th to 1st is impressive, but for this beach, it’s too much and not for the average surfer.

Rusty.

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