Bird Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Bird Rock. This is a reef break, and it’s pretty exposed to the southwest swell, so when the ocean sends us something good, this place feels it.

The water is sitting at 58° at the start, which is about average for this time of year, so no crazy warm or cold surprises there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start to the outlook. The first couple of days are a bit of a mixed bag, with some small swell around but the conditions aren’t quite coming together. Wednesday afternoon the 8th has a 5ft southwest swell with a very long 18-second period, and the wave energy is strong (1447), but the wind is onshore and the report says it’s marginal. Not the time to rush out.

Thursday the 9th is cleaner in the morning with a light north wind, but that swell has dropped to 3ft. It’s a proper long-period groundswell at 16 seconds, but the energy is moderate (471). Friday the 10th looks similar with clean conditions and a 3ft southwest swell in the morning, moderate energy (421). Good for a quiet, easy paddle if you’re not chasing power.

Now, the first true standout is Sunday morning, July 12th. We’ve got a solid 6ft southwest swell pushing in with a 13-second period and strong wave energy (903). More importantly, the wind is offshore from the northwest at 15 mph, keeping that reef glassy and clean. The report says expect very good surf conditions. This is the pick of the first week for a surfer who knows their way around a reef break. It’s a bit too big for a beginner, but for an advanced crew, this is going to be a treat.

Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th see the swell really crank up. Tuesday morning especially, we’re looking at a 8ft southwest swell with a 16-second period and enormous energy (3638). That’s proper, powerful groundswell. The offshore wind holds from the northwest at 12 mph. This is excellent surf, but it’s expert territory. If you’re not comfortable on a reef with a big, long-period swell that’s pushing hard, sit this one out. The long period means the sets will be widely spaced but powerful, hitting that reef clean.

The wind turns ugly by Wednesday the 15th, with strong cross-onshore winds and messy conditions. The swell hangs around at 5ft, but it’s not worth it. We then hit a dry spell through the middle of the week with poor conditions and smaller swell, nothing to get excited about.

There’s a glimmer on Sunday the 19th. We get a 4ft southwest swell with a very long, 19-second period in the afternoon. The wind is light and cross-offshore, and the energy is moderate (795). It’s not the biggest, but that long period on a reef like Bird Rock can produce some beautifully lined-up, clean waves. A promising, late-weekend option for a chilled session.

Into the final days of the outlook, Wednesday the 22nd looks decent. We’ve got a 4ft southwest swell and a moderate offshore breeze from the northwest at 12 mph. Conditions look clean and the report calls for very good surf. A solid way to finish the run if the long-range holds.

So to sum it up: Sunday the 12th is your best bet early on for a clean, solid surf. Tuesday the 14th is for the experts only. And keep an eye on Sunday the 19th and Wednesday the 22nd for some cleaner, more manageable conditions.

Rusty.

Read more