Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.

Right now, we’re looking at a pretty frustrating stretch. The first few days have some size, but the wind is just not playing ball. It’s a tough start, and honestly, things get real quiet for a long time after that.

The best window we’ve got is kicking off this Monday, the 27th of July. Cliffs (beach and reef) is the only game in town, and it’s going to be a mixed bag. The water’s sitting at a nice, warm 80° which is about average for this time of year, but that’s where the good news starts to fade.

Monday morning, we’ve got some chest-high swell at 4ft coming from the east, but it’s pulsing with a moderate 923 combined energy. The wind is a fresh cross-offshore breeze at 19 mph, which will keep it clean, but the report says it’s marginal. By Monday afternoon, it pushes a little bigger to 5ft, and the energy picks up to 1022, still with that cross-off wind. It’s surfable, but it’s not going to be a classic.

Tuesday, the 28th, is our best chance. The morning swell bumps up to a solid 7ft from the east, with a nice 13-second period. The combined energy is a much stronger 1820, telling you there’s some proper power in the water. The wind is still a moderate cross-off, so it’ll be clean. It’s getting a bit solid for beginners though. Tuesday afternoon is the real standout: the swell hits 8ft, still east, and the wind swings to a true offshore from the NNE at 19 mph. That’s a recipe for clean, powerful waves. The energy is pumping at 2248. This is the one to aim for, but get ready for a crowd because it’s a spot that can get busy, and this is a rare day.

After that, it’s a long, drawn-out fade. Wednesday the 29th, the bottom falls out. The wind goes onshore, the swell drops to 2ft, and it’s just poor. From Thursday the 30th all the way through to Monday the 10th of August, we’re looking at a brutal run of flat, weak conditions. The swell is mostly under 3ft, with combined energy barely cracking 300 most days. The wind is a constant, strong cross-offshore breeze, which is just a tease. There’s a weird little spike on Friday the 31st of July with a 6ft east swell, but it’s a short-period, choppy 8-second windswell, and the wind is howling at 25 mph. That’s a kite-surfing day, not a paddling one.

The only other glimmer is on Tuesday the 11th of August, where we see a 4ft east swell pop up in the afternoon, but it’s another short-period windswell and the reports are still calling it marginal. Honestly, after that Tuesday afternoon session, put the board away for a week and a half. It’s a long, dry spell.

So, to sum it up: Tuesday afternoon, 28th July at Cliffs is the clear winner. Get it while you can, because the ocean is going to go to sleep for a long time after that.

Rusty.

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