Hilton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for Hilton.

First off, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half or so is looking pretty grim. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf conditions, with only a handful of mornings that might offer a little something. The biggest issue is that the swell is tiny and weak, with energy levels mostly under 100 (that’s weak, folks), and the wind, especially in the afternoons, is just ruining any chance of a decent wave. It’s a real bummer.

From Thursday the 23rd of July right through to the end of the month, it’s a write-off. The swell is a mix of small, short-period (7 seconds or less) windswell from the WNW, with a bit of NW mixed in. The combined energy is weak, like 59 to 71, and the wind is a mess of cross and onshore breezes at 12 to 15 mph, leaving a choppy, bumpy surface. Saturday the 25th sees a bit of a spike in energy to 360 (moderate) with a 5ft swell from the WNW, but the wind is onshore, so it’s still a no-go.

Now, there are a few tiny windows where things might just be worth a paddle. Monday the 27th of July morning is the first real hope. The wind goes glassy, calm as can be, with a light NNW breeze at 3 mph. The swell is a modest 4ft from the WNW at 8 seconds, giving us a combined energy of 179 (moderate). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” but glassy conditions on a reef/jetty setup like Hilton can be a real treat. The swell direction is WNW, but the optimum for Hilton is WSW, so it’s not a perfect match, but when it’s that clean, you take what you can get. Just keep in mind this spot is inconsistent and crowds are often here, so you might have some company. Water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit drama.

Tuesday the 28th of July morning is another glassy chance, with zero wind and a tiny 2ft swell from the NW at 7 seconds. Energy is weak at 61. It’s super small, but glassy and clean. Then after that, we’re back to choppy afternoons and a whole lot of nothing until Sunday the 2nd of August or so. Even then, the morning of Monday the 3rd of August offers another glassy morning with a 2ft NW swell, but it’s weak.

The standout here, if you can call it that, is Monday the 27th of July morning. That 4ft WNW swell with glassy conditions is the best we’re going to see in this 16-day window. The swell is just over 5ft, so it’s fine for most, but the short period (8 seconds) means it won’t have much punch. The reef setup at Hilton should handle it okay, but it’s not a classic groundswell.

Bottom line: we’ve got a long, dry spell with a few fleeting moments of glassy, small surf. If you’re desperate, hit the Monday morning session, but don’t expect much else. The rest of the time, you’re better off doing something else.

Rusty.

Read more