Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's happening at Saltwater.

This is a bit of a mixed bag to start. We've got some small, workable waves early on, then a real quiet spell before a promising run of cleaner conditions kicks in for the tail end of the outlook. The main story is that the best surf is gonna be later on, so don't get too antsy if the first week looks a bit weedy.

Let's kick things off with Monday the 17th. The morning's not bad at all. We're looking at a chest-high 5ft swell coming from the ESE with a short 7-second period, so it'll be a bit jumbled, but that morning cross-off wind from the SSE is ripping, keeping the surface clean. The water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is about normal for this time of year. Afternoon on Monday is a write-off though, with that onshore breeze making a mess of things.

Now, the real standout window starts on Tuesday the 18th. We've got Tuesday morning with a drop to 4ft but it's glassy. *Glassy*. That's a major positive and the cleanest you'll find in this first stretch. The swell is still short period, but when it's that clean, you'll find a few.

Wednesday the 19th morning is another glassy session with 4ft and a much nicer 10-second period, offering way better shaped waves. That's your best bet for the first few days. But after Wednesday afternoon, things go flat. We're looking at a gap from Thursday the 20th all the way through to the morning of Monday the 24th with very little to offer.

Then we get a solid pulse of energy on Monday the 24th. The morning sees a 1ft swell but with a very long 19-second period, and a clean offshore wind from the SW. The combined energy is ticking up to 223 (moderate energy). That's a groundswell, and it'll be a bit inconsistent, but it'll have proper shape and push. The afternoon of Monday the 24th is where it gets really interesting. We've got 2ft, that 19-second groundswell, and it's glassy again, with combined energy jumping to 427 (moderate energy). That's the best session on offer. For a point break, that long period groundswell is going to line up perfectly. Expect long lulls but then sets that wrap in with real purpose.

After that, the window stays open but gets breezier. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th mornings have moderate offshore winds from the SW, keeping things clean but the swell is a bit smaller. Thursday the 27th morning looks good with a 3ft SSE swell, 10-second period, and a light cross-off breeze.

Friday the 28th morning is another glassy stand-out with a 4ft NE swell – that's a good winter swell for here, and the wind will be dead calm. It'll be consistent and clean, a great day for anyone. The 29th morning is also glassy with similar sized NE swell.

So, to wrap it up: if you want to get wet this week, hit Wednesday the 19th morning for quality, or wait for the magic window on Monday the 24th afternoon for that long-period glass. Friday the 28th morning is also a solid, clean option for the second week.

- Rusty

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