Rye Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, Rusty here.

Alright, July is kicking off ugly. The first few days are a total loss. A massive 12ft to 13ft swell from the SW is getting hammered by a strong 25 mph wind out of the WNW and W, tearing the ocean to shreds. The wave energy is huge (over 13,000), but it’s just a mess of cross-chop. You’d be an idiot to paddle out on Monday 13th or Tuesday 14th July.

From Wednesday 15th through Friday 17th July, the swell drops to around 7ft to 8ft, but it’s still too big for this spot, and the wind is still cross or cross-on, leaving it lumpy and choppy. The water is 57°, about normal for the time of year.

Saturday 18th July is the first real chance. The wind swings to a light offshore from the ENE at 5 mph. The swell drops to 5ft from the SW with a 13-second period. The energy is moderate (822), and the wind is offshore, so the surface will be clean. This is your best window of the first week. It’s still a bit big for beginners, but it’s a solid, clean wave for a good surfer.

From Sunday 19th July, the surf goes flat. The swell drops to 3ft to 4ft, and the energy is weak (under 500). The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean, but there’s no power. A real dull stretch. That lasts right through to late on the 24th.

Then, on Friday 24th July afternoon, a new pulse of long-period groundswell shows up. 7ft from the SW with a 17-second period, and the wind is glassy – dead calm. The wave energy is moderate (2,634). This is a standout. Saturday 25th July morning continues the magic: a 6ft SW swell, glassy calm, and a 14-second period. The energy is still moderate (1,225). For a reef-and-beach setup like Rye Ocean Beach, that long period (17 seconds) means the waves will have real power and shape, but it can also make them a bit straight at the beach. The wind is perfect, though. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it’s worth it.

This is the best session of the whole outlook. Saturday 25th July morning is the one to chase. The swell is 6ft, the period is long, and the glassy conditions are a gift. After that, Sunday 26th July hangs around with a 4ft–4ft swell and light offshore/glassy winds, so still a nice follow-up session.

The very end of the window, Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th July, sees the wind pick up again to 19–22 mph, strong cross-off, but a 6ft swell from the SW keeps the energy moderate (over 1,500). It’s clean, but the wind is strong, making it a more challenging day.

So, in short: the first week is a write-off until Saturday 18th July. Then a long flat stretch. Then Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July are the clear standouts with glassy, powerful conditions.

Rusty.

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