Right and Left Side Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way. We're talking about Right and Left Side, a reef break that's exposed and takes a northerly swell best. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing wild to report there.

Right off the bat, we have to be honest: the first week is a write-off. From Saturday, July 4th right through to Tuesday, July 7th, it’s all poor surf conditions with messy, blown-out waves and heavy cross-onshore winds getting up to gale force. The combined swell energy is huge – over 12,200 (12276) on Monday, July 6th – but with those winds, it’s just a washing machine. This spot is inconsistent as it is, and this is a brutal stretch.

Things start to turn around on Tuesday afternoon, July 7th. The wind shifts to a clean cross-offshore and the surf is still a solid 10 feet (3.0m) from the WNW, with a long 13-second period. The energy is still high at 2535, and we finally get some clean conditions. The problem is the forecast calls it "marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions," so it's a bit of a gamble, but for experienced surfers, that's an inviting window.

Wednesday, July 8th, keeps that clean cross-offshore wind, and the swell is a still-chunky 8 feet (2.5m) from the WNW, with that same long period of 13 seconds. The energy drops a little to around 2053-2101, but the conditions are clean. This is where we start to see some life.

Now, for the standout of the whole outlook: Thursday, July 9th, in the afternoon. We get a 10 feet (3.0m) WNW groundswell with a 14-second period (feels like real energy from deep water), and the wind goes completely glassy – zero mph. The combined energy is 3899, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. Right and Left Side is a reef, so that long period will wrap in nicely, and the glassy surface will be unreal. That’s your best bet, right there, but remember it’s inconsistent and for the advanced crew only.

Heading into the second week, it’s a slow fade. Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th, offer clean or light winds with dropping swell around 6 to 8 feet (1.7m to 2.4m) from the W, and periods staying long at 13-14 seconds. Sunday afternoon, July 12th, has that same excellent conditions tag with 6 ft (1.7m) and a 14-second period, but the energy is down to 1233, so it’s smaller but clean.

From Monday, July 13th onward, the swell drops below 5 feet (1.5m), energy fades into the hundreds and then double digits, and the winds start swinging back onshore. By Saturday, July 18th, the energy is as low as 16 with tiny 1 foot (0.3m) swell and a messy onshore wind. The surf is pretty much done.

So to sum it up: tough start, but Thursday afternoon, July 9th, is the absolute highlight with glassy conditions and a solid, long-period groundswell. Keep an eye on Wednesday morning, July 8th, for a solid, clean fallback. After that, the size fades, but the vibes stay okay for a few days.

Rusty.

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