Gilligans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s look at what we’ve got coming. We’ve only got one spot on the menu, and it’s looking like a pretty solid run, so let’s break it down.

We’re talking about Gilligans, a reef break that’s very consistent. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing crazy there. We’ve got a nice, long-period groundswell rolling in from the SSW, which is right in the sweet spot for this place. That longer period means the waves will have some real shape and energy, but at a reef like this, it should set up nicely.

The run starts Friday, July 3rd. Friday morning is a bit small with a 3ft SSW swell, but the wind is a light cross-off from the ESE, so it’ll be clean. The energy is moderate at 953, but it’s not a standout. By Saturday afternoon, July 4th, things get tasty. Swell picks up a bit to 4ft from the S, and the wind goes glassy – that’s a major positive. The combined energy jumps to 1142, and it’s described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is one of the true standouts.

Sunday, July 5th, is the absolute pick of the bunch. Morning has 5ft SSW swell, glassy wind from the E, and energy at 1117. The afternoon is even better: glassy calm, 5ft SSW swell, and a beefy 1243 energy reading. It doesn’t get much cleaner than that. Monday morning, July 6th, follows up with another glassy session, 4ft S swell, energy at 1050. The pattern of clean, glassy conditions early in the day continues through Tuesday and Wednesday, with Tuesday morning, July 7th, seeing 4ft SSW swell and glassy conditions. Wednesday morning, July 8th, bumps up to 6ft SSW swell, still glassy, and the energy hits 1966 – that’s a strong pulse, but over the 5ft mark, it starts getting a bit much for beginners.

The winds stay favorable for most mornings through the first week, but afternoons often get a cross or cross-on breeze that messes with the surface. The real standout window is Saturday afternoon through Monday morning, with those glassy conditions and solid, well-shaped swell. Crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you can expect a few others out, but with this consistency, it’s worth competing for a spot.

From Friday, July 10th, the swell stays solid around 6ft, but the wind becomes a steadier cross-off or cross, keeping it clean but not glassy. The energy remains high, hitting 1802 on Friday morning. By July 11th and 12th, the swell backs off a little to 4ft and 4ft, but the winds stay light and glassy, making for fun, clean sessions. The second week from July 13th onward, the swell holds around 5ft, but the wind shifts to a stronger cross and cross-on pattern, adding some chop. The energy readings are still high – hitting 2548 on July 18th – but the wind is up at 12 mph from the SSE, creating a moderate cross-chop. That setup is more interesting for kite surfing than for a clean paddle session.

Overall, the first week is where the magic is. It starts a bit small on Friday, July 3rd, but from Saturday afternoon, July 4th, through Monday morning, July 6th, it’s the best on offer. After that, mornings are still good, but the afternoons get bumpy. The second week has size but struggles with wind. If you’re picking one day, Sunday, July 5th, is your winner: glassy, 5ft from the SSW, and plenty of energy.

Rusty.

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