Royal Palms State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, lean period with no real surf to speak of for the first twelve days. From July 12th all the way through July 23rd, the waves are small, weak, and messy. The combined swell energy is mostly in the low to mid hundreds (236 to 468), which is pretty weak to moderate, but the problem is the wind. It’s almost always onshore or cross-onshore, keeping things choppy and lumpy. The water is running much warmer than usual for this time of year at 69°F, which is over 5°F above average, so it’s a notable anomaly.

The first real chance of anything even marginal comes on July 24th (Friday morning) at Royal Palms State Beach. We’ve got a small 3 ft swell from the S with a period of 13 seconds, and the combined energy hits 403. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a bit rippled but not completely blown out. It’s a sheltered reef and point break, so it can handle a bit of chop better than a beach. This is a strict beginner-level spot, and it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect much. The crowds are only sometimes an issue here, but honestly, with conditions this marginal, you’ll probably have it to yourself. This is the best we’ve got, and it’s barely a 1 out of 10 on the score sheet.

On July 25th (Saturday morning), the swell holds at 3 ft from the SSW, but the period drops to 12 seconds. The combined energy is 504. The wind actually goes offshore (WSW) with a light breeze, so the morning might look glassy. That’s a major positive. But it’s still a tiny wave, and the break is inconsistent. It’s your best bet across the entire 16-day window, but it’s far from a standout.

After that, the final days of July 26th and 27th see the swell drop back down to 2 ft and 2 ft, with long period energy (19 and 18 seconds) but the wind stays onshore or cross. The power is there in the 300s, but the size just isn’t. For a reef and point setup, that long period might actually make the waves too straight for a quality ride.

So, here’s the call: If you’re desperate, the morning of July 25th is the only window worth a look. Otherwise, it’s a long wait. The forecasts can change, but for now, this is a blank run that’s pretty normal for a sheltered spot like this.

Rusty.

Read more