Point Dume Little Dume Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ll be honest with you – the next two weeks at Point Dume Little Dume are looking pretty flat and frustrating. There’s a small window early on with some long-period groundswell, but after that it drops into a long stretch of ankle-biters or nothing. A lot of the energy gets messed up by the wind direction and that constant cross-onshore flow. Let’s break it down.

We start off Sunday morning, 26 July. There’s some very long-period groundswell in the water – about 3 ft from the SW with a 19-second period. That’s a long wait between sets, but at a point break like this, it can wrap in cleanly if conditions cooperate. The combined energy is moderate (605), but here’s the problem: the wind is onshore from the SW at 6 mph, and the report says marginal surf or questionable tide. The water is a balmy 72° – that’s about 8° warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s very unusual. The score is low, and despite that nice period, it just doesn’t feel like a goer. Crowds are often around here, so expect a few others hoping for the same. Afternoon stays similar with 3 ft, 18-second swell (514 energy).

Monday 27 July: a slight bump to 4 ft from the SW, still 18 seconds, energy up to 745. But the wind goes cross-onshore from the SSW, and that puts a bump on the face. Tuesday 28 July holds at 3 ft from the SSW at 17 seconds, cross-onshore morning, onshore afternoon. Wednesday 29 July drops to 3 ft, 16-second period, with cross-shore winds and slight chop. Thursday 30 July sees a little more size – 4 ft from the S at 15 seconds – but still cross-onshore. Friday 31 July has 4 ft from the S at 13 seconds, and by now the period is dropping, so the quality is fading. The whole first week is a grind of marginal surf.

The best on offer in this whole stretch is Sunday morning, 26 July, at Point Dume Little Dume. That 3 ft, 19-second groundswell from the SW has real potential at this point break – it’s exposed to the S and that direction is right on the money for optimum swell. The very long period means the waves will have good shape, but there will be lulls between sets, which makes paddling out easier. The moderate energy (605) isn’t huge, but for a point, that long-period S swell can produce some nice runners if the tide works out. The onshore wind is a bummer – it’s light at 6 mph, but still puts a texture on the face. If it glassed off, this would be a standout, but as it is, it’s the only thing worth mentioning. Crowds are often here, so expect a few heads.

Then it drops off hard. By Saturday 1 August, the swell is down to 4 ft from the SSW at 13 seconds (499 energy) then 4 ft at 12 seconds (379) – still marginal. From Sunday 2 August through to Sunday 9 August, it’s a full week of poor to flat conditions. Swell heights range from 1 ft to 2 ft, periods bounce from 10 seconds up to 19 seconds, but the energy is weak (often under 300, sometimes under 100). Winds stay light, mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the comments say “poor surf conditions” with scores of zero or one. There’s a tiny flicker on Friday 7 August morning with a 2 ft, 19-second pulse (296 energy), but it’s still rated poor. The gap of days with no recommendations runs from 2 August all the way through to the end of the forecast on 10 August.

So for the second week, there’s nothing to chase. This is a tough run for Point Dume Little Dume – the consistency is gone, and the combination of tiny swell, bad wind direction, and questionable tides means you’re better off staying dry. Forecasts can change, but right now it’s a stay-home kind of outlook.

Rusty

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