Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the 16-day forecast for Rivermouth, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag with a few standout moments if you know where to look.

First off, the water temperature right now at the start of the period is 63°, which is a full 5° colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a notable chill, so you’ll want a thicker suit.

The first sniff of surf comes on Friday, July 17th, but it’s underwhelming. We’ve got a 7ft SW swell on Friday morning with a 13-second period, but the wind is cross and the energy is strong (2061). The call is marginal, and honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for. The surf quality is poor, and the conditions are just meh.

The whole first weekend is a write-off. Saturday and Sunday, July 18th and 19th, have small, weak swells (4ft to 5ft) with short periods and cross winds. The combined energy is moderate (566 to 690), but the waves are just messy and small. You’re better off staying on the beach.

Now, Monday morning, July 20th, things get interesting. The wind goes glassy, and we have a clean 4ft S swell with a 12-second period. The energy is moderate (689), and the conditions are glassy. This is a real chance for a few clean, fun waves. It’s the first real highlight of the outlook.

Tuesday morning, July 21st, is almost a carbon copy – glassy conditions, 4ft SE swell, 11-second period, and moderate energy (601). Another solid morning session for the die-hards.

Wednesday, July 22nd, is a standout. The morning is glassy with a 4ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and moderate energy (610). The afternoon gets a bit of a bump with a 6ft SSW swell, but the period drops to 8 seconds. Still, the wind goes cross-offshore and clean, so it’s worth a look.

But the real big energy hits on Thursday, July 23rd. The morning has a massive 12ft SW swell with a 12-second period. The energy is huge (5536). The wind is glassy, but the problem is the swell is too big for Rivermouth. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be a washing machine. The afternoon is similar, with a 10ft SSW swell. This is not for the faint of heart.

Friday, July 24th, settles back down to a manageable 4ft SSW swell in the morning, but the conditions are marginal. The afternoon sees a 6ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period, but the wind is cross-on, making it choppy.

Now, Saturday, July 25th, is the absolute best on offer in this entire 16-day window. The morning has a 7ft SSW swell, a long 16-second period, and glassy conditions. The energy is strong (2044). This is a proper groundswell with excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The water will be clean, the waves will have power and shape, but that long period might make it a bit straight at the beach break – it’s best if you can find a point or a bank that holds. The afternoon is ruined by a 19 mph cross wind, so get your session in early.

Sunday, July 26th, is blown out with moderate to fresh cross winds and a messy 12ft swell in the afternoon that’s too big for the break.

The following week, from Monday, July 27th, through Wednesday, July 30th, is dominated by huge, powerful swells (10ft to 16ft) with very strong energy (2550 to 8554). These are all too big for Rivermouth and are only for experts, if anyone. The wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but the wave size is just dangerous.

The outlook improves a bit on Thursday, July 31st, with a 8ft SSW swell, 9-second period, and glassy morning conditions. The energy is strong (1713), and it’s a good option for experienced surfers. The wind is calm, so it’ll be clean.

Finally, Saturday, August 1st, brings a glassy morning with a 5ft S swell and a 10-second period. The energy is moderate (555), and it’s a nice, clean, small day to wrap up the outlook.

Overall, the standout is the morning of Saturday, July 25th. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. The glassy mornings on July 20th, 21st, and 22nd are also solid, clean sessions. The middle of the week (July 23rd through 27th) is a powerful but risky window for experts only. The crowds at Rivermouth can be a hassle sometimes, so keep that in mind.

Rusty.

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