Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here again, translating this into feet and miles per hour for you.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead at Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks, but you’re gonna need to pick your moments. This is a reef setup that needs the right direction, and we’ve got the right direction – SW is where it’s at. The water temp is sitting right on 61°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

The first real standout doesn't come until Friday the 10th. Tuesday and Wednesday this week are a mixed bag – plenty of swell, but the winds are messy. Tuesday morning sees a big 15ft WSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is onshore from the NNE at 9 mph. The energy is massive, but it’s blown out. Not worth it. Tuesday afternoon switches up – the wind goes offshore from the S at 9 mph, and we get an 12ft SW swell with that same long 16-second period, but there’s risk of thunderstorms. It’s rideable for experienced surfers, but it’s not perfect.

Wednesday the 8th is a write-off. Strong offshore winds from the S and SSW at 18-22 mph are just too much, blowing the 12-13ft SW swell into a mess. Thursday the 9th is better early with a cleaner 12ft SW swell and lighter wind, but it’s cross-off. The afternoon gets howling again.

Now, Friday the 10th. This is one of the two true standouts. Friday morning is *it*. We’ve got a 10ft SW swell, 18-second period – that’s very long-period groundswell, proper energy. The wind is offshore from the S at 16 mph, moderate but clean. The combined energy is massive, showing real power. This is big, powerful surf – definitely for experienced to expert surfers only. Over 8ft, so it’s expert territory. The reef will handle that long period beautifully. Saturday the 11th is a nice follow-up, smaller at 7ft and then 6ft, with clean conditions and light offshore winds, but it’s not the same size.

Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th drop right off. Onshore winds, smaller swell, poor quality. From Tuesday the 14th to Thursday the 16th, it’s a poor run – strong onshore winds and lumpy cross-chop. The swell builds back up to 15ft, but with fresh cross-shore winds, it’s just a mess. Probably more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing right then.

Then we hit the second standout. Friday the 17th is a monster. A huge 20ft SW swell rolls in. The wind is cross-on from the WNW, but only light, so it’s fairly choppy but manageable. Massive, heavy surf – expert only, no question. The period drops to 15 seconds, so still long, but that size is intimidating.

Think the absolute pick of the whole run is Saturday the 18th morning. The swell settles to a still-large 18ft from the SW (13-second period), but the wind goes cross-off from the SSE, and it’s clean. The energy is still immense, and the conditions are exceptional for experts. That’s the morning to get after it if you’ve got the nerve. The rest of the run after that slowly fades out through the 22nd, with cleaner but much smaller waves.

So, in short: wait for Friday the 10th morning for the first proper clean, powerful session if you’re experienced. For the true standout, lock in Saturday the 18th morning – that’s the one with the size, the clean conditions, and the reef working its magic. Keep an eye on it long-range, but it’s looking promising.

- Rusty

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