Scarecrows Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about Scarecrows. This is a solid, advanced-only reef set-up that’s exposed to the southwest, and it’s pulling in some serious energy over the next couple of weeks. The water is sitting at about 85°, which is average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

We start off slow. Sunday afternoon the 16th is nothing to write home about with a weak 3ft SSW swell and a messy cross-on breeze. Monday the 17th morning is cleaner with a cross-off wind and a bump to 4ft, but the energy is still moderate. Honestly, the first few days are marginal and not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate.

Things start to get interesting from Tuesday the 18th. The swell jumps to 7ft on Tuesday morning, and by the afternoon it’s holding at 5ft but the period stretches to a long 19 seconds, with combined energy climbing into the strong range. This is proper groundswell. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not glassy, but the power is there. Wednesday the 19th is where it really starts to crank. Morning sees 8ft, afternoon hits 10ft, both from the SSW with long periods (17-18 sec) and combined energy roaring into the very strong zone. This is expert territory only. The wind is still cross-shore and moderate, so expect some chop on the face. For a reef like this, the long-period groundswell is going to produce some thick, heavy lines, but the cross-shore wind will take the edge off the perfection.

Thursday the 20th is still pumping with 8ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, but the wind lightens up a touch, which should improve the surface. The energy remains strong. Still, it’s all cross-shore wind, so not absolutely clean.

The standout of this whole period looks to be Friday morning the 21st. We’ve got a solid 6ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, but more importantly, we finally get a clean, cross-off wind from the southeast. The water will be smooth, the lines will be well-shaped thanks to that long period, and the combined energy is still strong. This is the window for experienced surfers to get some really good, powerful waves with a bit of order. The crowds at Scarecrows are listed as “sometimes,” so you might see a few others out, but it shouldn’t be a zoo.

From Saturday the 22nd onward, the swell slowly backs off, staying in the 6ft to 7ft range through the weekend and into early the following week. The wind keeps mixing between cross and cross-off, so conditions are hit or miss. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th see the energy drop back to moderate levels, with the swell shrinking to around 4ft or less.

Looking into the second week, there’s a bit of life again around Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. Saturday morning has a clean, cross-off breeze and a modest 4ft S swell—nothing huge, but the conditions look promising for a fun session. Sunday morning the 30th is the real long-range call: a 5ft SW swell with a long 18-second period, clean cross-off wind, and combined energy building back up. That’s a promising setup for a reef like Scarecrows, but it’s far out, so keep an eye on it.

Through to the end of the month on Monday the 31st, it fades again with smaller 5ft swell and light cross-on winds.

If I had to pick the best on offer, it’s Friday morning the 21st without a doubt. That cross-off wind, long-period groundswell, and strong energy is going to produce some memorable rides for those who can handle it. Sunday morning the 30th is the other one to watch, but it’s a long-range promise.

Stay safe out there. This reef doesn’t mess around when it’s over 8ft.

Rusty.

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