Jailbreaks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Jailbreaks. This is a reef break, wide open to the south, so it needs a solid south push to really get going. The water temp is right around 84°, which is normal for this time of year, so the wetsuit can stay in the truck.

The first few days are a bit of a dud. Friday the 14th, you’re looking at a weak 3ft swell from the south with a moderate cross-off breeze. The swell energy is low (456), and even though it’s clean, the surf is poor. Saturday and Sunday don’t get much better – the swell pushes up to about 4ft from the SSE, but the period is short at 10 seconds, so it’s weak and has no push. Those days are a total miss.

Everything changes on Monday the 17th. A new long-period groundswell rolls in. Monday morning is small at around 3ft, but the period is a crazy 22 seconds. The energy jumps up to 815 (moderate), and the wind is a gentle cross-off. That long period will draw up clean lines, but it’s small. Monday afternoon gets more exciting: the swell jumps to 4ft from the SSW, still with a 21-second period, and the energy goes strong at 1754. The wind stays clean.

Now Tuesday the 18th is the day to circle. The swell builds to 6ft on Tuesday morning from the SSW with a 18-second period, and the combined swell energy is massive at 2370 (very strong). The wind is light and cross-shore, so there will be a bit of texture. But Tuesday afternoon is the peak: a solid 7ft from the SSW, 18-second period, energy hitting 2519 (very strong). The wind goes light cross-off, and the waves will be clean and powerful. This is a standout session for experts only – that reef will handle that long groundswell perfectly, and the size is serious.

Wednesday the 19th backs off a hair, with a 5ft swell in the morning from the SW, periods around 16 seconds. The energy is still strong (1850), but the wind goes a bit cross-shore, adding a slight bump. It’s still good, but not the main event.

The following week is a slow fade. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st have clean 3ft to 3ft south swells with long periods (15 seconds), which is fun but small. Energy drops to moderate levels. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd get even smaller – down to 2ft to 2ft – and the period drops, so it gets fat and weak. There is a multi-day gap of very ordinary, small surf here.

The outlook gets a shot in the arm on Friday the 28th of August. A new SW groundswell comes in at 3ft to 5ft with a 17-second period. The energy jumps back to 1089 (strong). The wind is light cross-off, so it’ll be clean and lined up. Saturday the 29th still has a 3ft SW swell, but the wind turns a bit cross-shore in the afternoon. That Friday the 28th and its following morning are the next best bet, but the size is more manageable than that huge Tuesday.

So, if you’ve got one day to go, make it Tuesday afternoon, August 18th at Jailbreaks. You’re looking at a solid 7ft from the SSW, a long 18-second period, light clean winds, and crowds are only “sometimes” an issue. This is the one.

Keep your powder dry for that Tuesday.

Rusty.

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