Boulders Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the only game in town for the next couple of weeks: Boulders.

We’ve got a solid run of swell coming in, but honestly, the wind is going to be the main character for most of this forecast, and it’s not a friendly one. The water is sitting at a warm 82°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The best window is actually right at the start. Thursday morning is the standout. The swell is a manageable 4ft from the SW, but the real story is the period – a very long 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and on a reef setup like this, those waves will have real shape and power. The combined energy is moderate (1953), but don’t let that fool you; that long period packs a punch. The wind is a cross-shore from the E at 16 mph, which will keep it clean. It’s not glassy, but it’s workable. Boulders is a consistent break, so there will be waves to be had, though it can get crowded sometimes. For advanced surfers, this is the pick of the period.

Thursday afternoon gets even better size-wise, with 7ft from the SW, and the wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the NNE at 12 mph. The wave energy jumps up (2693). This is the sweet spot for the whole forecast – clean, solid, and powerful. Just be aware that at 7ft, it’s pushing into the range that’s for experienced surfers only.

Now, for the bad news. From Friday morning (July 10th) all the way through to Tuesday, July 22nd, it’s a write-off. We’re looking at a solid 12-day stretch of poor conditions. The wind locks in from the S, SE, or ESE, blowing directly onshore or cross-onshore, turning the waves into a choppy, lumpy mess. Even when the swell is solid – like the 10ft SE stuff peaking around July 17th and 18th – the wind is a near-gale or strong breeze. That’s blown-out, messy, and dangerous. The combined energy gets into the thousands (up to 3145 on July 18th afternoon), but with that wind, it’s a washing machine. Honestly, that setup looks way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

After that long, bleak stretch, things start to look a little less hopeless around Wednesday, July 22nd. The wind finally drops to a gentle breeze, but it’s still cross to cross-onshore. The swell is down to 5ft to 5ft from the SSE with a shorter 12-second period, and the energy is weak (1011 to 1171). The forecast calls it marginal at best.

So, here’s the bottom line: you’ve got Thursday, July 9th – morning and afternoon – as your only real chance at decent waves. After that, it’s a long, dusty wait until the last week of the month, and even then, it’s looking marginal. Get out there on Thursday and make the most of it.

Rusty.

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