Gilligans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming.

We’ve got a healthy run of SSW swell lining up, starting this Sunday the 2nd of August. The first couple of days are a bit scrappy with the wind, but it cleans right up by Monday and Tuesday.

Gilligans is the only spot worth talking about – a reef break that’s wide open to the southwest. Water temp is 85°F, pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Sunday morning the 2nd kicks off with 4ft SSW swell at a long 18 seconds, but the SE cross-shore wind messes with the surface. It’s marginal. By the afternoon, the wind drops and we get a glassy 5ft SSW swell – that’s the first real hint of something clean.

Monday the 3rd gets good. Morning brings 5ft SSW at 15 seconds with a light ESE cross-offshore breeze – clean lines, nice shape. Afternoon goes flat calm with the same 5ft swell. The energy is moderate but the quality is there.

Tuesday the 4th is the early winner. Morning has 6ft SSW at 16 seconds, a light N cross-offshore breeze, and building energy. By the afternoon, dead calm and glassy with nearly 6ft SSW and energy jumping. This is the cleanest, most fun session of the opening days. Crowds are only a chance, not a sure thing. Perfect for intermediates.

Wednesday the 5th stays clean in the morning with 6ft SSW (energy building) before the period stretches to 19 seconds in the afternoon. The swell drops a bit and wind turns cross-shore, so the afternoon is a little messy.

Thursday the 6th sees size bump to 7ft SSW with a clean NNE offshore in the morning (energy is solid). This is expert territory, a powerful groundswell with long gaps. Best to paddle out early because the afternoon gets choppy.

Friday the 7th keeps it big – 8 to 8ft SSW (energy is pumping) with cross-offshore north wind. Clean but heavy. Not one for the beginners.

Saturday the 8th is the big one for experts. 8ft SSW at 16 seconds with a NNE offshore breeze – that’s clean, powerful, and the best quality of the run. The crowd might show up because it’s Saturday, but for this size and quality, it’s worth the company.

Sunday the 9th shifts to a S swell, still 8ft at 16 seconds, clean in the morning and glassy in the afternoon. Another excellent day, just a tick less consistent.

From Monday the 10th, the wind turns cross-shore and the quality fades. There’s still plenty of swell (5ft to 8ft) but the chop makes it messy. By the 13th, the energy drops way off (below 1000) and periods shorten. The run peters out, with a last clean day on the 17th of August offering 5ft SSW and glassy conditions – a gentle finish.

The best bets? Tuesday the 4th afternoon for the clean, fun-sized waves, and Saturday the 8th morning for the big, powerful groundswell. That Saturday is the one that’ll have you talking.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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