Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead for Empty Lots. We’ve got a 16-day window, but honestly, the first ten days are pretty much a write-off for any serious surfing. There’s a long gap of poor conditions right from the start, with nothing worth paddling out for until July 22nd.

Looking at the whole period, the combined wave energy is moderate to strong (values between 160 and 947), but it’s constantly being let down by onshore or cross-shore winds that mess up the surface. The swell is mostly from the SSW, S, and E, with some long-period stuff (14 to 23 seconds) around July 22nd and 23rd, but the wind never really cleans it up for Empty Lots. The water temp is about average for July, nothing unusual there.

For what it’s worth, the best chance to get something rideable comes later in the window. Empty Lots (reef) – the standout is on July 25th. Saturday afternoon sees the wind turn cross-offshore with 19 mph from the NE. That’ll clean things right up. You’ve got a 3 ft swell from the east with a period of 15 seconds (a proper groundswell). The combined energy is pumping at 888, which is strong. This is a reef break, so that long-period east swell will wrap in nicely, and with crowds only *sometimes*, you might get a few clean ones to yourself. It’s an advanced spot, so keep that in mind.

July 27th (Monday morning) also shows a glimmer of hope with 3 ft east swell and a gentle 9 mph ENE breeze, but the energy is weaker. It’s marginal at best.

Don’t get too excited about the 5 ft on the 19th – that’s a short-period windswell (8 seconds) with fresh cross-shore wind. It’ll be lumpy and messy, and probably more fun for the kites than a paddle.

So, hold out for that Saturday afternoon on the 25th. That’s your best shot. The near-term is a bust, but forecasts can change, and once we get into that second week, things start looking just a little more promising. Keep an eye on the wind.

Rusty.

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