Boulders Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get real about the outlook for Boulders. The next couple of weeks look pretty rough for a proper paddle session. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but there’s a big gap of poor conditions right through the middle that’s going to kill the vibe.

Looking at the overall pattern, the wind is our main enemy. For the first week, starting Thursday July 16, we’re looking at a relentless onslaught of strong cross-onshore winds from the ESE, blowing at 25 to 28 mph. This kicks up a messy, lumpy surface that’s just not worth paddling out into. The swell is there – we’ve got moderate to strong wave energy (values between 774 and 2720) – with a mix of short-period, weak SE swell running about 5ft to 10ft, and even some longer-period SSE groundswell popping up around 5ft with a very long 16-second period. But that clean, lined-up potential is completely ruined by the wind. The water temp is a warm 82°F with a water temp anomaly of just 0.4°F, so it’s pretty average for the time of year. Nothing to complain about there.

The only real standout, and I mean the *only* one, is a brief sliver of hope on Thursday July 23. That afternoon, we see a wind shift to a fresh offshore breeze from the north at 22 mph, with clean conditions. The swell is a modest 4ft from the SSW with a very long 19-second period, carrying moderate wave energy (1685). This is a long-period groundswell, so it’ll be better-shaped and more powerful, but it’ll also have long waits between sets. At Boulders, a reef break that’s fairly exposed to the swell, it could offer a few good rides. The crowd situation is “sometimes” there, so you might have some company, but it won’t be a zoo. It’s an advanced spot, and with the swell size under 5ft, it’s manageable for the skill level. Honestly, this is the only session worth considering in the whole period.

The rest of the run is a write-off. We’ve got days of strong cross-onshore winds, rain showers, and even risk of thunderstorms. The wind states are consistently “fresh cross-onshore and lumpy” or “strong cross-onshore and messy.” The swell quality is consistently terrible. Even when the swell energy climbs to strong levels (over 2600 in places), it’s paired with cross-shore winds that chop it all up. The setups look more like a kiteboarder’s dream than a surfer’s.

So, plain and simple: if you’re a surfer, keep your eyes on that Thursday July 23 afternoon. The rest of the window is a solid no-go. Keep the wax in the bag and wait for the wind to sort itself out.

Rusty.

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