Domes (Rincon) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. I’m lookin’ at what we got for the next couple of weeks, and I gotta be straight with you—this is a tough stretch. We’re lookin’ at a real quiet period with barely a ripple for days on end. The first real chance of anything surfable don’t show up until around Thursday the 24th, and even then, it’s nothin’ to write home about. Let’s break it down.

Right now, the water’s sittin’ at a warm 86°—that’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a steamer. But that’s about the only positive.

For the first week and a half, from Thursday the 10th right through to Wednesday the 23rd, we got a long, dry gap. Swell is tiny—mostly under 2 ft—and when there is any energy, it’s weak, with combined swell energy values barely crackin’ 40 or 50 (weak). Winds are all over the place, with a lot of cross-off or cross-onshore breezes, and plenty of afternoons with risk of thunderstorms. The wave comment says it all: “poor surf conditions” across every single session. There’s nothin’ to recommend here, not even for a longboard.

Domes (Rincon) is the only break on the menu. It’s a consistent point break that’s good for beginners, and it’s exposed to the swell. But the swell just ain’t showin’ up. The optimum swell direction for Domes is NNW, and for most of this period we’re gettin’ small dribbles from the NE or NNE. Not a match.

Now, finally, around Thursday the 24th, we see a little pulse. On the mornin’ of the 24th, we get a 2 ft swell from the north, with a period of 10 seconds and combined energy of 61 (moderate). Winds are glassy—light from the north at 3 mph. That’s clean, but the wave comment is still just “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” By the afternoon, the swell nudges up to 2 ft from the north, period 10 seconds, energy 81 (moderate), and still glassy. It’s surfable, but nothin’ special.

The best we get is Friday the 25th. Mornin’ brings a 3 ft north swell, period 11 seconds, and combined energy hits 191 (moderate). Winds are glassy again—light from the northeast at 3 mph. This is the standout of the whole outlook. The swell direction (north) lines up much better with Domes’ optimum NNW, and with glassy conditions, it should be clean and rideable. The afternoon holds similar size and energy, but a light cross-off wind sneaks in. Crowds are listed as “often” at Domes, and given this is the only window with anythin’ goin’, expect company.

But let’s be real: 3 ft is small. It’s fine for beginners and fun on a log, but if you’re lookin’ for somethin’ with punch, this ain’t it. The period is 11 seconds—decent, but not a long-period groundswell that’ll wrap in nicely. It’ll be ordinary waves, just cleaner than the rest.

Overall, this is a lean 16 days. The first week and a half is a total write-off. The last few days offer a glimmer, with Friday the 25th bein’ the only real highlight. Keep your expectations low and your wax warm.

Rusty

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