Cactus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me break this down for Cactus. It’s a reef break, open to the southwest swell. When it’s on, it’s real good. Water temp’s around 61°, dead average for this time of year.

First real surf comes on Tuesday afternoon, July 7th. We’ve got clean 4ft surf out of the southwest with a very long 16-second period – that’s real groundswell. A light cross-offshore breeze means nice, clean lines. The combined energy is moderate at 635, but that long period will give the waves some real punch. It ain’t big, but it’ll be fun.

Wednesday the 8th is the big one. Morning and afternoon both see the swell jump to 5-6ft, still from the southwest, with a period of 16-17 seconds. Wind is offshore from the northeast, light and clean. Energy is strong at 1710 and 1245. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at 6ft, beginners should sit it out. Wednesday is a true standout.

Thursday the 9th backs off to 4-4ft, still long period, but the wind turns cross-on or onshore, messing with the surface. It’s surfable but nothing to write home about.

Friday the 10th is poor – cross-shore winds turning onshore, small swell, low energy. Write it off. Saturday the 11th is a total mess: 6ft of swell but with a weak, short 7-second period and strong cross-onshore winds at 19 mph. Lumpy and nasty. Sunday the 12th stays ugly with onshore winds and a bigger 8ft swell that’s just blown out.

From Friday the 10th through Monday the 13th, it’s a rough stretch. Monday morning has 8ft of SW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s lumpy. The energy is a massive 3167, but the wind ruins it.

Then Tuesday the 14th is another gem. Morning and afternoon bring 6ft of southwest swell, 16-second period, with light offshore or cross-offshore winds. Energy is strong at 1532-1576. Clean and powerful. Wednesday the 15th stays nice with 5ft swell and light offshore winds.

From Thursday the 16th onward, the quality drops again. Winds get stronger or turn onshore. The last week, from the 18th to the 22nd, looks mostly poor with heavy onshore winds and lumpy seas. The 20th and 21st see 10ft of swell but with 28 mph winds – that’s kite territory.

The real standouts are Wednesday the 8th and Tuesday the 14th. Both days have 5-6ft of clean SW groundswell, light offshore winds, and strong energy. If you’re picking days, those are it. The second week is less certain, but those early windows are promising.

Cactus is a reef, so expect some company when it’s clean. Get out there early.

Rusty.

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