Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks, starting on Wednesday the 15th of July. This is a reef break, so it handles a good swell well, and the optimum direction is SW, which is exactly what we’re getting.

First up, Wednesday afternoon the 15th, we’ve got a 10-foot SW swell rolling in with a very long 16-second period. That's a lot of energy pushing through (5469). The wind is light and cross-onshore, so a bit of texture on the face, but it’s still surfable. The water temperature is sitting at 60°, which is pretty much average for this time of year – nothing wild there.

Now, Thursday the 16th is where it starts to get clean. Thursday morning is glassy – dead calm with a 3 mph ENE breeze. That same 10-foot SW groundswell is still pumping (4004), and with the reef handling the long period, this is going to be a standout session for experienced surfers. Thursday afternoon stays clean with a light WSW cross-off breeze and the swell drops slightly to 8 feet.

Friday the 17th is another cracker. Both morning and afternoon have a clean offshore wind from the south (9 mph), with the swell holding at 8 to 8 feet, period still a long 15 seconds. The energy is strong (2268 to 3314). This is a great window for the advanced crew.

Saturday the 18th keeps the quality high. Cross-off winds from the SSW, 10-foot SW swell, super clean. Energy is still very strong (4410 and 3879).

Highlight of the whole forecast: Sunday the 19th. Morning session has an 12-foot SW swell with a 17-second period – that’s a massive, long-period groundswell (7889). The wind is offshore from the SSW at 9 mph. This is a true standout for experts. The reef will be handling this energy perfectly, making for some serious, well-shaped waves. The afternoon is only slightly less, still offshore and 12 feet.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st continue the run of clean, quality surf. The swell drops from 8 feet to 7 feet, but the winds are still light offshore or cross-off. Energy stays moderate to strong. Tuesday afternoon goes glassy again with a 3 mph SE breeze, making for a silky 7-foot swell.

The surf then starts to taper off. Wednesday the 22nd has a smaller 5-foot SW swell, but it’s glassy again. Good for a fun, easy session. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th get messy with onshore winds and much smaller waves. The energy drops off a cliff.

We get a brief window on Saturday the 25th morning with a glassy, tiny 3-foot swell from a very long 18-second period – that’s more of a novelty than a proper session. The afternoon gets choppy.

Sunday the 26th afternoon looks promising again. A 8-foot SW swell comes in with glassy conditions (2483). That’s a solid option for the end of the week.

Then things get interesting again. Monday the 27th of July morning brings a big 12-foot SW swell (7500), but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. The following days, Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th, get a bit wild. Wednesday the 29th afternoon has a 13-foot SW swell with a fresh offshore wind, but it's a very big, powerful wave. The energy is through the roof. By Thursday the 30th, the swell is peaking at 16 feet, but with rain showers and strong cross-off winds. That’s a serious, heavy ocean. This late stage is for the absolute experts only, and even then, conditions are marginal.

So, the best on offer? No doubt, Sunday the 19th of July, with that massive 12-foot, 17-second groundswell and offshore winds. That’s the one to circle. The second best is the run from Thursday the 16th through Tuesday the 21st – consistent, clean, and powerful. The gaps? There’s a few days of small, messy surf around the 23rd and 24th, but it doesn’t stay flat for long.

Stay safe out there, and don't even think about paddling out on the 30th unless you're a pro.

- Rusty

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