Lighthouse Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and let's get into this. This is a tough one to write because we've got a solid 16-day window but it's mostly a bust for quality waves.

Right now and for the bulk of the period, we're looking at a long, frustrating stretch of poor surf. For about 12 days straight, from Tuesday afternoon July 7th right through to the 18th, it's just small, weak, and messy. We get some clean conditions in there, but the swell is tiny – we're talking piddly 0.7ft to 3ft stuff with short period energy. The combined swell energy is weak, mostly under 100, barely worth paddling for. Wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but with such small waves it just doesn't come together. It's the kind of run where you check the cam, sigh, and go back to fixing your dings.

Now, there are a couple of bright spots, but you have to be patient. The first real glimmer shows up on the morning of Wednesday July 15th. Lighthouse (Point Judith) sees a bump to 3ft from the SSW with a clean offshore wind from the WNW. It's still an ordinary session, but at least surfable. The energy is still low (74), so don't expect barrels.

The true standout is a couple of days later. Monday morning July 20th is where we finally get something worth setting the alarm for. The swell picks up to 3ft from the SSE with a period of 9 seconds. The wind will be light offshore from the SW, which means clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy jumps to 221 – moderate energy, finally some push. This is a reef and point break, and that longer-period groundswell from the SSE is right in its sweet spot for optimum direction. Crowds are 'sometimes', so you'll likely have company but it won't be a zoo. The water temp is already noted as a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, which is a bonus.

The session on Monday morning is the pick of the whole outlook. But be warned, that afternoon the wind swings cross-shore and the quality drops off a cliff. Tuesday the 21st stays clean but is back to weak, small surf. After that, the end of the outlook on the 22nd is just messy again with fresh wind.

So, the long and short of it: the first 12 days are a write-off. For the dedicated and patient, mark your calendar for Monday July 20th, first light at Lighthouse. That's your window.

Rusty.

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