Dolphinarium Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee, let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. We’ve only got one spot in the frame here, and that’s Dolphinarium. Let’s be straight with you: it’s not looking great.

Right from the start, we’ve got a problem. The forecast opens on Tuesday the 7th of July with no surf worth paddling out for. The combined energy of all swells directed here is weak, sitting at just 125 – that’s barely a ripple, and the wave comment doesn’t mince words: “poor surf conditions.” We’re looking at 3ft of swell coming from the WNW with a short period of 8 seconds. The wind is a cross-shore breeze from the WSW at 9 mph, which is adding a bit of chop, so it’s not clean at all. The water temperature is 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s the only positive.

The rest of the first week doesn't get much better. Through Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th, the swell stays tiny – between 3ft and 4ft – with that same short period. The wind does go cross-offshore from the SW at times, which gives us some clean conditions, but the energy is still weak (155 at best) and the surf is described as “poor” or “very ordinary.” On Thursday morning, it’s surfable but nothing to write home about.

By Friday the 10th, the swell drops to 3ft with a period of 7 seconds, and the energy falls to 50. The wind is light and cross-offshore on Friday morning, so it’s clean, but it’s tiny. Honestly, you’d be better off swimming. Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th see the swell shrink further to 2ft and 2ft. The morning of Sunday the 12th is glassy – a light west wind at 3 mph – but the swell is so small (combined energy of just 29) that it’s not surfable.

This flat spell runs right through the second week. From Monday the 13th all the way to Wednesday the 22nd of July, we’re looking at wave heights between 2ft and 3ft, periods staying short at 6 to 8 seconds, and combined energy rarely cracking 70. The wind is mostly cross-offshore or light in the mornings, which would be nice if there was any swell. But there isn’t. Afternoon winds pick up from the WNW at 12 mph, making it choppy and cross-onshore.

There’s one small bright spot: on Thursday the 16th of July, the morning has a little pulse of 3ft swell with a 7-second period and combined energy of 54. The wind is cross-offshore from the SW at 9 mph, giving clean conditions. The wave comment for that morning says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” That’s about as good as it gets. But it’s not a standout. It’s barely a ripple.

The beginning of the third week, the morning of Monday the 20th of July, has a bit of cross-shore wind and 3ft swell (energy of 62), but again it’s poor. The overall pattern here is a long, drawn-out flat spell. No standout swells, no groundswells, no decent size. This is one of those periods where you leave the board in the car and enjoy the beach instead.

For what it’s worth, the break is exposed to the NW, and the optimum swell direction is from the NW, so the direction is fine – it’s just that the size and period aren’t there. The crowds at Dolphinarium can sometimes be an issue, but honestly, with this lack of waves, you’ll have the place to yourself. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, rated 2/5 for difficulty, and fairly consistent, but this forecast is a dud.

Alright, that’s the long and short of it. Nothing to get excited about. I’ll keep an eye on the charts, but for now, it’s a flat spell.

Rusty

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