Bird Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Bird Rock. This is a solid reef setup that loves a good SW groundswell, and boy, we’ve got some proper energy on the way. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real action kicks off on Tuesday afternoon, July 28th. It’s not the most exciting start, with a 5ft SW swell rolling in at a long 15 seconds. The wind is a fresh offshore from the NW, keeping things clean, but the combined energy is moderate at 837 and the conditions are a bit marginal. It’s surfable, but not a standout.

Then we get to Wednesday, July 29th, and this is where the fire lights up. The morning sees a building 10ft SW swell with a 16-second period. The combined energy jumps to a strong 4888, and with a cross-offshore wind, it’s clean. By the afternoon, it’s even bigger – 12ft from the SW, 15-second period, and a massive combined energy of 9489. That’s some serious power. The wind is a moderate cross-offshore, keeping the face clean. This is the big one. This is expert-level territory; over 8ft, this is not for the faint of heart. This is the standout window for the whole outlook.

Thursday, July 30th, drops back a notch. Morning sees a 5ft SSW swell, dropping to 8ft SW in the afternoon. Both are clean with cross-offshore winds, but the energy is a more moderate 837 and 2337. It’s good, but a comedown from the day before.

Friday, July 31st, is a fade. The morning has a 4ft SW swell with a light cross-off wind, but it’s small. The afternoon goes glassy, with a 3ft SSW swell and an easterly breeze at just 3 mph. It’s clean and pretty, but small.

Saturday, August 1st, has a bit of a pulse. The morning is small at 2ft, but the afternoon sees a 5ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period and a gentle offshore wind. The combined energy is 2029, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That long period means the sets will be well-spaced and powerful, breaking nicely on this reef.

Sunday, August 2nd, holds similar energy. A 5ft SW swell in the morning with a moderate offshore, and a 4ft SW swell in the afternoon with a gentle offshore. Both are clean and pleasant.

From Monday, August 3rd, through Wednesday, August 5th, the surf turns to junk. The wind swings onshore or cross-onshore, and the conditions are poor. Don’t bother.

Thursday, August 6th, sees a small reprieve. A 3ft SW swell with a very light offshore wind in the morning, but it’s tiny. The afternoon goes onshore again.

Friday, August 7th, is another small, clean window. A 4ft SW swell with a cross-offshore breeze in the morning. It’s a small day.

The weekend of August 8th and 9th is small and mostly blown out by a fresh breeze, with wave heights dropping to 2ft and 2ft. Not worth a paddle.

Now, looking further out, Monday, August 10th, brings a late pulse. A 6ft SW swell with a very long 21-second period hits the morning, and a 7ft SW swell with a 19-second period in the afternoon. The combined energy is over 3000, showing strong wave energy. The wind is a strong cross-offshore, so it’s clean. This is a promising one, but it’s over a week away, so keep an eye on it. The long period makes it a proper groundswell, perfect for the reef.

Tuesday, August 11th, holds some of that energy with a 5ft SW swell and a 5ft SW swell, both clean. From Wednesday, August 12th, it goes flat and poor again.

To sum it up: the absolute standout is Wednesday, July 29th, with that massive 12ft SW swell and clean conditions. It’s a big, powerful groundswell that will have the reef pumping. Get on it if you’ve got the skills. The second-best window is the afternoon of Saturday, August 1st, with that 5ft, 17-second groundswell and offshore winds – a much more manageable size but still excellent quality. The long-range pulse on August 10th is the one to watch if you’re patient.

Stay safe out there, and don’t be a kook.

Rusty.

Read more