Cactus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got one spot in the mix, so I’m gonna break it down day by day.

First up, we’re starting on Wednesday morning, July 8th. There’s some solid energy rolling in, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The swell is coming from the SW at a solid 5.6 ft, with a very long period of 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is strong at 1710 (moderate to strong) so there’s plenty of push. Early on, we’ve got a cross-offshore wind from the NE at 9 mph, which is keeping things clean. But with that size and period, this is strictly for experienced surfers. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild to report.

Wednesday afternoon the wind switches to straight offshore from the NE, same 9 mph. Swell drops a touch to 5.2 ft, still a very long 16-second period, and the energy is still solid (1245). Conditions are clean and the wave quality is excellent for those who know what they’re doing. This is the standout of the early part of the forecast. Cactus is a reef break, and with that long-period SW swell, it’ll be handling it well, offering up some proper lines. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so keep an eye out.

Thursday and Friday (July 9th and 10th) the surf drops off significantly. Swell heights drop to around 3.6 ft to 4.3 ft, and while the period is still long (15-17 seconds), the winds get messy – cross-shore and onshore – and the energy dips. The scores are low, the conditions are marginal at best. Not worth paddling out for.

Saturday July 11th is a write-off. Onshore winds are howling from the WSW at 19-22 mph, and the swell is a jumbled, short-period 5.9-6.2 ft at only 7-8 seconds. Energy is weak (332-406). Poor conditions, and the wind will chop it up. Leave the board at home.

Sunday July 12th through to Tuesday July 14th, we get some bigger swell again – 5.6 ft to 7.5 ft – but it’s all onshore wind from the WSW or SW, 9-16 mph. The period is decent (12-16 seconds), and the energy is moderate to strong (975 up to 2780), but the wind is ruining it. It’s choppy, cross-onshore or straight onshore. Marginal at best, and for the bigger days over 7.5 ft, it’s only for the experts even if it was clean. It’s not.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday morning, July 15th, marks a return to form. Offshore wind from the ENE at 6 mph, wave height at a solid 5.6 ft, and a very long 15-second period from the SW. The energy is strong (1204). The conditions are clean, and the wave quality is excellent for experienced surfers. This is another standout – it’s clean, it’s got punch, and the reef at Cactus will be working well. Crowds are possible again.

Thursday afternoon, July 16th, is a sneaky one. The swell drops to 3.9 ft, but look at that period – 21 seconds! That’s extreme groundswell. The wind is light and variable, cross-offshore from the SE at only 3 mph. Combined energy is strong (2045). This will be glassy, clean, and the long-period swell will wrap into the reef beautifully. It’s for experienced surfers, but the conditions are excellent.

From Friday July 17th onward, things start to fade. Friday morning still has some clean 4.9 ft swell with cross-offshore winds, but the energy drops. By Saturday July 18th, the swell is down to 3.0 ft, and the wind picks up to 19 mph from the north. Sunday and Monday (July 19-20) are small and blown out or onshore. Tuesday July 21st has a bit of size but with rain and strong onshore winds up to 25 mph – that’s kite-surfing weather, not for a paddleboard.

Wednesday July 22nd morning shows a glimmer: 6.2 ft from the SW, 11-second period, with a cross-offshore wind from the ESE at 12 mph. The energy is moderate (1275). Clean conditions, but the wind is a bit stiff and the period is average. Could be fun for the more committed.

After that, Thursday July 23rd morning is 5.2 ft with a light cross-onshore breeze, but the energy is moderate and it’s nothing special.

So to sum it up: the best windows are Wednesday July 8th afternoon, and then a real standout on Wednesday July 15th morning, with a glassy, long-period session on Thursday July 16th afternoon. After that, it fades fast. For the second week, there’s a possible session

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