Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next 16 days.

Well, I’ll be honest with you – it’s a pretty grim stretch ahead. We’re looking at a long dry spell with hardly anything worth paddling out for. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t pop up until the 18th of July, and even then, it’s a marginal call. Before that, from the 12th right through to the 17th, it’s all poor surf conditions with lumpy cross-chop and cross-shore winds. That’s a solid week of nothing.

The only spot on the radar is Empty Lots, a reef break that’s fairly consistent but exposed. Water temp is sitting at 80°F, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Now, let’s talk about the one day that might get a little interesting. On Saturday the 18th of July, we see a bump in swell size. The morning brings a 5 ft swell from the ENE with a short period of 8 seconds. That’s a windswell, not a groundswell, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and fat. The combined swell energy is moderate at 701. By the afternoon, it drops to 5 ft from the E, still short period, and the energy backs off to 511. The wind is cross-shore all day at 16 mph, so it won’t be clean. It’s a marginal call at best – maybe a couple of rideable waves if you’re desperate, but honestly, it’s borderline.

After that, it’s back to the same old story. The 19th of July only offers 5 ft and 4 ft from the ENE with periods of 7 seconds – that’s short, weak, and ugly. The 20th and 21st see a tiny 2 ft to 3 ft from the S with longer periods of 15-16 seconds, but the energy is moderate and the wind is still cross-shore or cross-on. It’s just not coming together.

We get a slight uptick on the 27th of July, which is a Monday. That’s over a week away, so take it with a grain of salt. The morning shows a 3 ft swell from the E with a 15-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell, which at a reef break like Empty Lots could actually offer some shape. The combined energy is 944, which is moderate. The wind is a gentle 12 mph cross-shore, which is about the best we’ll see all forecast. The afternoon is similar. This one is marked as marginal, but it’s the closest thing to a bright spot in the whole window.

The standout? Honestly, there isn’t one. If I had to pick, the 27th of July is the only day that might deliver a handful of cleanish waves, but it’s a long way off and the forecast is uncertain. Keep your eyes on that one, but don’t hold your breath.

For the rest of it, it’s a solid two-week stretch of poor to marginal surf. The wind is always cross or cross-on, the swell is either too small, too short-period, or just messy. If you’re a kite surfer, the consistent cross-shore wind might be your thing, but for us paddle surfers, it’s a write-off. The breaks are not consistent enough to expect a quick change, so this blank run is pretty normal for the area.

Stay patient, folks. The surf will come back eventually.

Rusty.

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