Foam

Start at Cathedral this morning, it's ranked best today and the swell is wrapping in from the right direction to peel down those long walls. Conditions right now look chest to overhead, somewhere in the 1.4 to 2.4 metre range, all groundswell and zero wind chop. The offshore wind from the south-southeast is holding the faces clean and steep, and the tide is falling steadily into the slot these breaks prefer. This is a day for confident, experienced surfers only: the size and power here demand real commitment and skill.

By around 3pm the swell eases to stomach to head-high and the wind swings onshore from the northwest, which will soften the shape and blur what you have now. Today's window closes there.

Tomorrow peaks at the same epic rating but with less range, ankle to head-high, and best in the morning before conditions shift. The forecast at this range carries the usual ocean uncertainty, but if it holds, it shapes a solid progression day for improvers and intermediates stepping up to head-height waves.