Hilton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this outlook for Hilton is a tough one. We’re looking at a long dry spell with very little to get excited about across the entire 16-day window.

The problem is a lack of decent swell. For the first couple of weeks, we’re stuck with tiny, weak waves. The water’s sitting at a warm 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s the only thing that’s even slightly out of the ordinary. The combined swell energy is weak, barely cracking 100 (33) on Monday the 13th, and it’s mostly just a bit of cross-onshore chop. The swell is coming from the WNW, but at 2ft and a short period of 6 seconds, it’s just not doing anything for us. The wind is a constant problem, mostly cross-onshore, keeping things choppy and messy.

This pattern of small, weak surf and poor conditions really drags on. We’ve got a solid 12 days of nothing worth paddling out for. The swell barely changes, staying under 3ft with periods rarely breaking 8 seconds. Expect a lot of small, wind-affected dribble.

Now, there is a little glimmer right at the very end. On the morning of Sunday, July 26th, we see a slight change. The wind goes glassy, and the model finally spits out a “surfable but very ordinary” comment for the first time. The swell is still small at 3ft from the WNW, with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy is still weak (59), but the glassy conditions mean it will at least *look* clean. It’s the only window in the whole forecast where the conditions aren’t actively against you.

If you’re desperate for a paddle, that Sunday the 26th morning is your best and only real shot. But don’t expect anything more than a few small, clean lines. The rest of the run is a blank. For a reef break that’s inconsistent anyway, this kind of run is pretty normal for the area. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, keep your board in the car.

Rusty.

Read more