Airports Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it. The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, so you’ll need to pick your moments.

The first real chance to get wet at Airports looks like Thursday morning, July 30. It’s not a classic, mind you. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the SW with a long 16 second period, so there’s some solid energy in the water, but the wind is cross-onshore from the S at 9 mph, so it’s going to be a bit bumpy and choppy. The water temp is a balmy 86°, which is about 2° warmer than normal for this time of year – nothing too crazy, just a nice warm bath. The combined swell energy is moderate at 960, so there’s some push but not a ton of punch. The afternoon looks similar, with a slightly bigger 4ft swell and the same long period, but still cross-onshore.

Friday the 31st is a write-off. Strong onshore winds from the WSW and W up to 19 mph will make a mess of the 4ft SSW swell. Combined energy is high at 1368, but with those winds, it’s just a washing machine. Don’t bother.

The weekend is no good either. Saturday the 1st has an 8ft SW swell in the morning, but with onshore winds at 19 mph, that’s a survival session at best. That size is pushing into expert territory even in clean conditions, but with that wind, it’s a total mess. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a short-period wind chop. Combined energy is 1444, but quality is zero.

There is a small window on Sunday the 2nd. The morning sees a 5ft SSE swell with a short 8 second period, and a light cross-onshore breeze from the S at 9 mph. It’s not clean, but it’s surfable for the desperate. Combined energy drops to 847.

The first half of the following week is a steady stream of marginal, choppy conditions. Monday and Tuesday (August 3 & 4) see consistent 3ft to 4ft SSW groundswells with periods of 15-16 seconds, but the wind never gets truly offshore. Combined energy sits between 554 and 1062 – moderate. The wave comment says it’s marginal, and that’s being kind.

Now, the standout. If you can wait, keep your eyes on Thursday and Friday, August 13 and 14. On Thursday the 13th, the swell is 5ft from the SSW with a very long 19 second period – that’s serious groundswell. The wind is cross-onshore from the W at 12 mph, so it’s still a bit lumpy, but the combined energy is very high at 2446. That’s a lot of water moving.

But the real prize looks to be Friday morning, August 14. The swell drops to only 3ft, but listen to this – a 25 second period from the S. That is an incredibly long period, which almost guarantees clean, lined-up waves. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the NW at 9 mph, which is a major plus, keeping the face smooth. Combined energy is still high at 1883, so there’s plenty of power despite the modest height. The afternoon picks up to 5ft with a 23 second period, combined energy is massive at 2913, but the cross-shore wind is a bit stronger at 12 mph. This setup is ideal for a reef like Airports, as long period swells tend to hold their shape beautifully on reefs. Keep an eye on this one.

All in all, if you can only paddle out once, target Friday morning, August 14. The rest of the window is a game of patience or a guaranteed beatdown.

Rusty.

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