Alnes Lighthouse Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’re looking at a pretty bleak stretch ahead for the Alnes Lighthouse area. To be honest, the next week and a half is a write-off. The surf is small, the wind is almost always in the wrong direction, and the water is a mess. We’ve got gap after gap of nothing worth paddling out for. The first real break in the misery comes right at the very end of the run, but it’s a long wait.

It all starts on Monday, 20 July. Morning is clear with a tiny 2ft swell from the north at a weak 8 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 91, and there’s a light cross-onshore wind messing it up. Water temp is 57°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. Afternoon doesn’t get any better. The next few days are a repeat: Tuesday the 21st brings a bigger 5ft to 5ft west swell, but with a screaming 28 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s just a complete mess. The energy jumps to 236, but it’s all blown out.

Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are more of the same – cross-shore winds, lumpy conditions, and surf in the 2ft to 4ft range. By Friday the 24th, we get a 6ft west swell rolling in with a 9-second period, and the energy hits 484 (moderate energy), but it’s still cross-shore and lumpy. Not a wave you’d want to paddle for. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a little better on the wind, with a light breeze, but the swell is still 4ft to 4ft and the cross-shore or cross-onshore wind keeps it from cleaning up. By Sunday the 26th, the morning has a 4ft west swell at 10 seconds, giving it a bit of shape, but it’s still only a 1/10 and marginal. Not worth the effort.

Monday the 27th through Wednesday the 30th sees the swell drop back to 2ft-3ft, and the wind stays strong or onshore. The energy drops into the double digits and low triple digits. We’re scraping the bottom of the barrel. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are still poor, though Friday the 31st afternoon sees a small bump to 4ft from the west-southwest, but it’s a short-period 6-second wind swell, so it’s just a lumpy mess.

Now, here’s the only real glimmer of hope. It’s a long way off, but on Monday, 3 August, the morning is looking *glassy*. The wind goes glassy, and there’s a 3ft north swell at 7 seconds. The energy is 87, so it’s weak, but glassy conditions are a major positive. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon sees a light cross-offshore wind with a 3ft north-northwest swell, so it’s clean, but still small. Then Tuesday, 4 August morning is glassy again with a 3ft north swell at 8 seconds. The energy is 133, so there’s just a little bit more push. This is the true standout. It’s still not big, but for a spot that’s been hammered by wind for two weeks, the glassy conditions and clean 3ft waves are the best you’ll get. The wind is calm, and the 8-second period means it’ll offer some fun little waves. It’s not a beast, but it’s the only session worth pointing your board at. The afternoon on Tuesday sees a cross-shore wind come back in, so grab that morning window.

If you’re a kite surfer, some of those days with the strong cross-shore wind and the 6ft west swell might look interesting, but for a paddle surfer, this is a long, dry spell. The only real standout is that Monday, 3 August and Tuesday, 4 August morning window. Mark it in your calendar.

Rusty.

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