Inch Reefs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – this forecast is a tough one. We’re looking at a solid run of flat, poor conditions for the first week and a half before a brief pulse of swell shows up. But even then, it’s not exactly a picture-perfect window.

The only break on the radar here is Inch Reefs, a point break that needs a good SW groundswell and clean winds to fire. For the first ten days, from July 21st right through to July 30th, it’s pretty much a write-off. Swell is tiny, often below 2 feet, and the combined wave energy is pathetic, barely hitting double digits (between 2 and 56). The water is sitting at 65°F, which is a whopping 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a very unusual, warm anomaly. But it doesn’t matter when there’s no surf to enjoy. Winds are light and variable, mostly cross-off or clean, but there’s nothing to ride. It’s a long, boring gap.

Then we get a glimmer of hope on Friday, July 31st. The morning brings a little pulse: a 4-foot swell from the west with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 195 (moderate), and the wind is a clean cross-off from the NNE. It’s surfable, but the wave comment doesn’t get excited about it – just “ordinary conditions.” The swell direction is W, not the ideal SW, so it won’t be as groomed at the point. Still, if you’re desperate, this is the one window. The afternoon of the 31st gets bigger (5 feet, 278 energy) but a fresh 19 mph NNW cross-off wind will make it messy and bumpy.

Saturday, August 1st, sees the biggest swell of the whole run: 5 feet from the WSW with 10-second period and a massive 502 combined energy (strong). But the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore from the NW, which will turn it into a lumpy, choppy mess. It’s an expert-only day at best, and even then, it’s not pretty. The swell is pushing 5 feet, so it’s getting solid, but the quality is poor. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

After that, it drops off fast. By Sunday, August 2nd, the swell is back down to 3 feet and the energy is weak (99), with more strong cross-shore wind. The rest of the run into early August is just small, onshore junk.

So, if you had to pick a standout? It’s the Friday morning, July 31st at Inch Reefs. That 4-foot W swell with clean cross-off wind is the most rideable moment. It’s not a classic, but it’s all we’ve got. The bigger stuff on Saturday is too wind-shredded to recommend. This is a long, quiet spell, so don’t hold your breath.

Stay patient, check the charts, and hope for a change.

Rusty.

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