Alnes Lighthouse Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The honest truth is, for the next couple of weeks, Alnes Lighthouse (point) is struggling. It’s one of those periods where the conditions just won’t line up for a proper paddle session. There’s a long stretch from now until Thursday, July 16th, where the wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and the swell is small and weak. The combined energy mostly sits in the moderate range (around 100 to 300), but it’s all messy with a cross-chop. It’s a real bummer.

Let’s step through it. Thursday, July 9th, is a write-off. We’ve got a 15 to 22 mph cross wind, a tiny 2.3 ft to 4.3 ft swell, and the period is a short, weak 5 to 8 seconds. The water feels about average for the time of year. Friday and Saturday aren’t any better really – still cross-shore winds, small swell, and that lumpy texture. The combined energy gets a bit higher on Saturday (over 220), but the wind is still spoiling it.

Sunday, July 12th, through to Wednesday, July 16th, morning, it’s the same old story. A persistent NNE to NE wind, cross-shore, with swell heights hovering around 2.6 ft to 3.9 ft. The periods are a bit better, hitting 9 to 11 seconds, which suggests a little more groundswell character, but without clean wind, it’s just not worth it. The combined energy ticks up to 296 on Wednesday morning, but the wind is still moderate.

Now, the first real glimmer of hope is on Thursday afternoon, July 16th. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the ENE at only 6 mph, and the conditions are described as “clean”. The swell is tiny, just 2.0 ft from the west, with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is weak (83). It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. Not a standout, just a moment of peace.

Friday, July 17th, afternoon is a repeat of that clean, cross-offshore wind, but again, the swell is only 2.3 ft. It’s something to wet your line, but nothing to get excited about.

The only real standout, if you can call it that, is on Saturday, July 18th. The swell bumps up to 5.6 ft from the WNW, with a combined energy of 345 (moderate). The period is a short 8 seconds, though. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the NE in the morning, but it turns cross-on from the west in the afternoon. At 5.6 ft, it’s getting a bit much for beginners, but it’s not huge. The real problem is the wind. The morning might offer a few cleanish waves, but it’s not going to be great. The afternoon is a write-off.

After that, it’s back to small, messy surf right through to the end of the forecast on July 24th. There’s a brief moment on Monday, July 20th, afternoon with a glassy 2.0 ft swell, but it’s tiny. The crowds at Alnes Lighthouse can be there sometimes, but with this forecast, I doubt many will show.

Honestly, there’s no real standout here. You’re looking at a few clean, small windows on the 16th and 17th afternoons, and a slightly bigger but wind-affected Saturday morning on the 18th. If you’re desperate, go for the cleanest window. Otherwise, sit this one out. The setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on the bigger, windier days.

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