Matunuck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Matunuck. It’s a tough stretch ahead for this sheltered reef setup. The first week or so is looking pretty grim, but there’s a little glimmer of hope later on if you’re patient.

Right now, the water temperature is sitting at 69°, which is about 2° cooler than normal for this time of year – nothing to write home about, just a bit on the fresh side.

We’re staring down a long, barren run. From Friday the 31st of July all the way through to Monday the 10th of August, the surf is consistently poor. The swell is tiny, mostly from the SSE or S, with short periods around 5 to 8 seconds, and the combined energy is weak, often in the double digits or low triple digits (132 to 303). The wind is almost always cross-on or choppy, with only a few brief moments of light cross-shore that don’t save the day. This is a blank stretch where it’s just not worth paddling out.

There’s a slight shift on Monday the 10th of August. The morning shows a 6ft swell from the S with a 9-second period, and the combined energy jumps to a solid 538 (moderate wave energy). The wind is light from the S at 3 mph, but it’s still cross-on. The model says it’s marginal, and I’d agree – it’s the best we’ve seen in a while, but not a standout. The Monday afternoon sees a similar 5ft swell from the S with a period of 9 seconds and energy at 434, with a light cross-shore wind from the ENE at 6 mph. Still just marginal.

If you’re desperate for a paddle, the morning of Tuesday the 11th of August offers a clean, glassy window with a 3ft swell from the S, but the period is only 7 seconds and the energy is a weak 111. That glassy wind is a major positive for clean conditions, but the swell itself is puny.

The real standout, if you can call it that, is that Monday the 10th of August. The combination of 5ft to 6ft of S swell with a 9-second period and the lightest wind we’ve seen is the best on offer. The swell direction is from the SSE to S, and Matunuck is a sheltered reef that prefers SE – so it’s not a perfect match, but it’s close enough. The water is likely still around 69°, and the crowds can be *sometimes* an issue, so expect a few locals out. This is a spot that breaks very consistently, so at least you know it’ll be working.

After that, the end of the second week fades back into tiny, weak swell and poor conditions. The 12th and 13th of August have a bit of clean, glassy or cross-off wind, but the swell drops to 2ft or less, with periods of 6 to 7 seconds and energy in the teens to 50s. Not worth a trip.

So, bottom line: the first week and a half is a write-off. Your best bet is the 10th of August, but keep your expectations low. It’s a marginal session, not a day to remember.

Rusty.

Read more