Dunes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right off the bat, the long-range models are lighting up for the Dunes. It’s a reef setup that needs a solid SW groundswell, and it looks like we’re going to get exactly that. This is a consistent spot, and while it’s not the easiest wave, it handles the swell well. The water temp is sitting at 74.5°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The start of the week is a bit of a tease. Saturday the 8th has some push with 4.6ft of SW swell, but the wind is a 25 mph cross-offshore blow. It’s clean, but the energy is weak (845) and the surf quality is poor. Not worth suiting up for.

Sunday the 9th is where things start to get interesting. The morning sees 4.9ft of SW swell with a 14-second period, and a 22 mph offshore wind keeps it clean (1104). It’s still marginal, but the afternoon is the first real standout. The swell bumps to 5.2ft, the period stretches to 17 seconds, and the wind drops to a 12 mph offshore breeze. The energy jumps to 1416, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper groundswell, best handled over the reef. This is your window if you want some decent waves.

Monday the 10th is a step down. The swell is still there at 4.3ft, but the wind swings cross-offshore in the morning and goes cross-shore in the afternoon, messing with the surface. The energy is moderate (846 and 885), but the quality is poor. Give it a miss.

Tuesday the 11th is blown out. A strong 25 mph offshore wind in the morning makes it a paddling nightmare, and the swell drops to 2.3ft. The afternoon has a bit more size at 3.3ft, but the period drops to 10 seconds, and the energy is weak (360). Not worth the effort.

Wednesday the 12th has some clean waves, but the size is down. The morning has 3.9ft of SW swell with a 16-second period and a 16 mph cross-offshore wind. The energy is moderate (733), but the surf forecast is marginal. The afternoon gets worse with a light cross-onshore wind. It’s a small, clean day, but not a classic.

Thursday the 13th is small and weak. The morning has 2.6ft of swell, a 15-second period, but a 19 mph cross-offshore wind. The energy is weak (303). The afternoon is light onshore. This is a gap day.

Friday the 14th sees a little pulse, but the quality is mixed. The morning has 3.0ft of swell with a long 17-second period and moderate offshore wind. It’s clean (495), and the models call for good conditions. The afternoon turns cross-shore and messy.

Saturday the 15th is more of the same, with 3.0ft swells and cross-offshore winds in the morning. It’s clean but weak (406). The afternoon is poor.

Sunday the 16th has one bright spot in the morning. The wind is glassy, with 3.0ft of SW swell and a 14-second period. It’s small, but it’s clean and has a bit of push (349). The afternoon is ruined by a cross-onshore breeze.

The first real standout of the run is Monday the 17th morning. The wind is nothing but a light cross-offshore, the swell is 3.9ft with a 13-second period, and the energy jumps to 861. The models say “very good surf conditions.” It’s a clean, fun morning on the reef.

Tuesday the 18th is the big one. The morning has 6.2ft of SW swell with a 17-second period, light offshore wind, and the energy jumps to 2062. The conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper, powerful groundswell. The afternoon stays solid at 6.6ft, but the wind goes cross-shore and adds some chop (2245). The morning is the call.

Wednesday the 19th is another excellent morning. The swell is 6.2ft from the WSW, with a 16-second period and light offshore winds. The energy is strong at 1809. It’s clean and powerful. The afternoon has a light cross-onshore that softens it up.

Thursday the 20th is a beast. The swell is predicted at 8.2ft from the WSW with an 18-second period. The energy is massive at 3670. The wind is gentle offshore, and the tide is favorable, but the models are clear: it’s too big for this break. This is expert territory only. The afternoon is slightly smaller but still too big and choppy. This day is not for the faint of heart or the average punter.

Friday the 21st backs off

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