Royal Palms State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day window is a tough one for the Royal Palms State Beach. The sheltered reef and point setup is seeing some inconsistent, small southerly swells, but the conditions are just not cooperating. The combined energy of the swells is reaching moderate levels at times, with readings around 164 to 385, but nearly every session is tagged with "poor surf conditions" due to the wind. It’s a frustrating run, and honestly, there isn’t a single standout day that’s worth getting excited about.

The first recommendation pops up on Saturday, August 8th. We’re looking at a tiny 2 ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 17 seconds, but the 6 mph WSW wind is cross-onshore, making for light wind ripples. The water temp is about average for this time of year, but with the poor conditions, it’s not a session to write home about. The whole first week follows the same pattern – small 1 ft to 2 ft swells, mainly from the SSW or SW, with periods ranging from 13 to 18 seconds. The wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, with light to moderate breezes keeping things choppy and messy. The combined wave energy is moderate (between 141 and 298), but the quality is just not there.

Moving into the second week, the swell tries to pick up a bit. By Saturday, August 15th, the swell height bumps to 3 ft from the SSW, and the combined energy jumps to 385. However, the wind is still cross-onshore from the W at 9 mph, and the surf is described as "poor." This pattern continues through the 16th, 17th, and 18th, with the swell staying around 1 ft to 3 ft. The wind remains a persistent issue – mostly cross-onshore or cross-shore, with occasional light breezes that still can’t clean up the waves. The 19th and 20th offer a slight reprieve with clearer skies and a little less wind, but the swell drops back to 2 ft to 2 ft, and the combined energy weakens. The final days, from the 21st to the 23rd, are more of the same: small, inconsistent swells with light cross-onshore winds.

The bottom line is that throughout the entire 16 days, the wind is the main culprit. It’s constantly from the wrong direction, keeping the surf choppy and uninviting. The swell is there, but it’s just not lining up with the conditions. For a better chance, you’d be looking for a period with lighter, offshore winds, but that’s not on the cards here. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because it tends not to stay this poor for long.

Rusty.

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