Zero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour. We’ve got a slow start, so don’t rush to grab your board just yet. The first week is pretty lacklustre, but there’s a couple of light at the end of the tunnel type moments brewing for later.

The outlook kicks off on Thursday the 16th of July, and it’s a quiet one. A tiny 1 ft of long-period groundswell from the SW, with a period of 16 seconds, slides in but it’s delivering poor surf conditions. Wave energy is weak (158). That long period and small size means it’ll be tricky to get anything rideable. On top of that, we’ve got a light onshore breeze of 6 mph, keeping things messy. The water temp is about average for the time of year – nothing special.

Friday the 17th is more of the same – the same 1 ft of SW swell and light onshore winds at 12 mph, still poor. The combined energy is still weak (157). Not worth paddling out.

Saturday morning the 18th looks a touch better with the swell bumping up to 2 ft from the SW, period at 18 seconds, and energy climbing to moderate territory (319). But the wind is onshore at 9 mph, so the surf is still poor. By Saturday afternoon, the wind swings cross-shore at 6 mph and the swell holds, but it’s only marginal – a 1 out of 10 call.

Sunday the 19th is where things finally start to wake up. Morning brings 5 ft of S swell, period of 15 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 1062. The wind is light onshore at 6 mph though, so the whole thing is still a bit messy – only a 2 out of 10. But by Sunday afternoon, the wind turns offshore from the WNW at 12 mph. The swell drops slightly to 4 ft, but it gets clean. This is a glimmer of hope after days of nothing.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st offer more marginal conditions. The swell hangs around the 4 ft to 3 ft mark, but the wind is onshore or cross-on, keeping the quality down. Wave energy stays moderate to strong (486 to 449). Not a standout.

Wednesday the 22nd sees a similar story: 3 ft of SSW swell, with periods around 15 seconds. The afternoon does get a cross-offshore wind from the WNW at 12 mph, cleaning it up a little, but the swell is small. A 2 out of 10.

Now, here’s the one to circle on your calendar. Thursday the 23rd of July. The morning is still onshore and messy, but the afternoon... oh boy. The swell builds to 5 ft from the S, with a 14-second period, and the combined energy hits a very strong 1002. The wind goes light offshore from the WNW at 6 mph, glassing it right up. The conditions are called out as excellent for experienced surfers – a solid 4 out of 10 for this slow period. This is the best on offer. The 5 ft is a good size for most, but it’s getting up there, so beginners might find it a bit much. The period is over 11 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell, which will wrap nicely along the coast. If you can get out, this is the session.

Friday the 24th keeps the momentum. The swell nudges up to 5 ft from the S, period 15 seconds, and the wave energy is very strong (1508). The morning is a bit cross-on, but the afternoon brings a cross-offshore breeze from the WNW at 9 mph. It’s a 3 out of 10, but with that size and clean conditions, it’s a good option for experienced surfers. Keep in mind, over 5 ft is getting less friendly for beginners.

The weekend of July 25-26 has wave energy staying high (1485 to 875), with swell around 4 to 5 ft. Winds are a mixed bag – onshore mornings and cross-off afternoons. It’s still surfable, but nothing is as clean as that Thursday afternoon.

The second week, from Monday the 27th through the end of July, the swell drops back into the 2 ft to 4 ft range. Winds are mostly variable, and the energy is moderate to strong (428 to 883). A few afternoons have clean conditions, but nothing jumps out as a standout. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, marginal surf. The 29th and 30th of July in particular dip back to poor conditions with weak energy (428 and 409).

So, if you’re hanging out for a wave, your best bet is to lock in Thursday the 23rd of July in the afternoon – that 5 ft S swell with light offshore wind is the clear standout. Friday the 24th afternoon is your next best call. After that, it’s a waiting game for the next pulse.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

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