Boscombe Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee, let’s have a proper look at what’s in store for us around Boscombe Pier. I’m not gonna lie, the next week and a half looks pretty grim for a proper surf – it’s one of those stretches where you’re better off fixing the dings or going for a skate. The water temperature is running at 68°F, which is much warmer than normal for the time of year and feels more like a holiday destination.

We kick off with Sunday afternoon, the 12th of July – there’s a small 4ft swell coming from the east, but the period is only 6 seconds and it’s getting hammered by a 30 km/h cross-shore wind out of the east. The wave energy is weak at 93, and the surface is lumpy cross-chop. It's a no-go, full stop.

The next few days? Barely a ripple. On Monday and Tuesday, the swell drops away almost completely, with tiny 0.3ft to 2ft bumps. The winds are all over the place – cross-off, cross-on, cross-shore – but the wave heights are so pathetic it’s not worth thinking about. The energy readings are in single digits and low double digits mostly.

By Wednesday the 15th, we get a clean morning but only 0.3ft on offer. The afternoon is clean with 3ft from the east, but the period is a weak 5 seconds. Still, with a gentle breeze that’s cross-off, the surface is clean. But the wave quality is still poor – it’s just too weak and small to do anything with.

Thursday through to the following Tuesday? More of the same. Tiny slop. A bit of swell kicks up on the 17th and 18th but never really gets above 2ft, and the period stays short. The winds are mostly light, so the surface is clean at times, but we’re talking about knee-high dribble. The 23rd of July Thursday morning shows a glassy sea and 3ft from the WSW, but the period is still only 4 seconds – that’s pure windswell. Not worth loading the boards.

Now, here comes the standout. And I mean the *only* standout in this whole 16-day window. You have to wait until the 27th of July – a Monday morning. The swell from the SW is pushing 7ft at Boscombe Pier, with a period of 8 seconds and the combined energy at 545 – solid, moderate energy. The wind is absolutely glassy, calm, zero wind. That’s rare and it’s going to make for smooth, clean faces. The swell direction from the SW matches the optimum direction for the break, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the one. The only catch? At 7ft, that’s getting into expert territory – this is not for beginners. It’s going to be powerful and punchy, especially on the sandbanks. If you’re experienced, mark that date.

There’s a second potential window on the same day – the Monday afternoon has 6ft from the SW with a 9-second period and energy at 516, but the wind swings onshore from the SSW at 25 km/h, making it choppy and messy. So stick to the morning.

Other than that, the 26th of July Sunday shows a whisper of hope – 4ft from the SW with a 6-second period and energy of 201, and a clean cross-off wind. That’s small and short-period, but if you’re desperate, it might offer a few reformed lumps. Not a standout by any stretch.

So, overall, it’s a long, dry spell until the 27th. If you can wait, the Monday morning glass-off at Boscombe Pier is the real deal – clean, solid, and punchy. For everyone else, maybe work on your pop-up.

- Rusty

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