Hideaways Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, talkin' about the next 16 days. There’s surf on offer, but you gotta pick your moment.

We start at Hideaways (reef). Water temp is about 80°F, pretty normal for the season.

The first week is a bust. From Tuesday the 21st right through the end of July, every day is a “marginal” call. You’ve got a steady cross-offshore wind from the east at 12 mph, with swell from the east-northeast, 4 to 6 feet, but the period is a weak, short 7-8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate, climbing from 225 up to about 477, but the waves are just gutless. It’s clean, but it’s the kind of clean that’s flat and frustrating. For a reef, short-period swell is a total letdown.

Then we get a real pulse. Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th, the period jumps to 15-16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The swell is from the east, and the energy kicks into the strong range: 732 on Sunday, then a massive 1136 on Monday morning. The wave height is only 3 to 5 feet, but with that long period, the waves will have real power and shape. The wind drops to a light breeze (9 mph), still cross-off. This is the one to chase. The best session is Monday the 27th afternoon: 5 feet from the east, 14-second period, and a gentle cross-off. The energy is 1157, which is very strong. The long period makes the waves stand up perfectly on the reef, and the sets will be well-spaced, making it easier to get out. It’s going to be quality.

Crowds are “often” though, so expect company. For waves like that, it’s worth sharing.

After Monday, the period drops back to 12-13 seconds, and the swell direction shifts. The energy stays in the moderate to strong range (900-990), with 5 to 6 foot waves, but the quality is gone. The wind is still cross-off or cross, but it’s not the same magic.

The first week of August is quiet. Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st drop to 3 feet, with a moderate cross-off wind (12 mph). Energy is moderate (440-486). Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd bring back a short-period 5 to 5 foot swell, but it’s weak. Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th show a glimmer, with Wednesday morning the 5th looking best of that week: 5 feet from the east-northeast, 7-second period, moderate energy (509), and a gentle cross-off wind. It’s clean, but nowhere near that long-period swell.

So, bottom line: Monday the 27th of July is the standout. That long-period groundswell is the real deal. The rest is just filler.

Rusty.

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