Flagler Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Flagler Pier for the next couple of weeks.

To be honest, this is a pretty grim stretch for anyone wanting to paddle out. We’re looking at a solid 16-day run with hardly any real swell to speak of. The first week is a total washout. From Thursday, 23 July all the way through to Wednesday, 29 July, it’s tiny, weak, and mostly messy. You’ll see waves around 1 ft to 3 ft, but it’s all short-period, 8-second wind swell. The combined energy is weak, never cracking 100 (most days it’s between 22 and 83). The winds are a mixed bag of cross-on and cross-shore, so expect a lot of chop and closeouts. The water temp is a warm 83°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze while you’re waiting.

There is one tiny glimmer, but it’s hardly a standout. On Wednesday, 29 July afternoon, the wind swings offshore from the WSW at 15 mph, which cleans things up nicely. The swell bumps up to 3 ft from the SE, still a short 8-second period, but the energy finally ticks over to 120 – that’s moderate. The wave report says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and I’d agree. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but it’s not a day to call in sick for. It’s an intermediate-level wave, and Flagler Pier can get crowded, so expect company.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. From Thursday, 30 July through to Friday, 7 August, we’re talking waves that barely hit 1 ft. The energy drops back to pathetic single-digit or low-double-digit numbers. The wind is often offshore or glassy, so the surface will be clean, but there’s simply no juice in the water. The swell period stays short, mostly 8 seconds or less. On Saturday, 2 August and Sunday, 3 August, we get a little bump with offshore winds, but the swell is still only 1 ft – nothing to get excited about. By Monday, 3 August afternoon, the swell nudges up to 2 ft from the ESE with a moderate offshore wind, and the energy hits 71, which is still weak. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.

The long-range stuff into the first week of August is just more of the same: tiny, weak, and clean. There’s nothing on the horizon that looks worth planning for. The break is a beach/pier setup, so it’s inconsistent at the best of times, and this stretch is a real dry spell. With the wind and tiny swell, it honestly looks more interesting for a kite session than a paddle surf, if you’re into that.

Bottom line: if you’ve got a board, leave it in the car for the next two weeks. The only window that’s even remotely worth a look is Wednesday afternoon, 29 July, and that’s a long shot.

Rusty.

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