Steamer Lane-The Slot Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Steamer Lane-The Slot Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Steamer Lane-The Slot sea temperature is
15.4° C
1.2° 

Steamer Lane-The Slot surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Steamer Lane-The Slot surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, NW swell with 993 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Steamer Lane-The Slot this week:

The surf forecast for Steamer Lane-The Slot over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Steamer Lane-The Slot in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 13s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 30th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 1st Aug)8ft (2.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Steamer Lane-The Slot over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta level with ya, the next couple of weeks are lookin’ pretty grim. We’ve got a real flat spell on the horizon.

The first note-worthy surf we see kicks off on Thursday, July 30th, but honestly, it’s nothing to get excited about. We’re looking at a weak, long-period swell out of the SSW. The wave heights are small, barely 3 ft, with a period around 16 seconds. This is proper groundswell, which at a spot like Steamer Lane means it could be wrapping in nicely, but there’s just not enough size to make it worth the paddle. The combined energy is moderate (774), but the morning has a light cross-onshore breeze that’ll put a bit of a crinkle on it. Water temps are sitting at a pleasant 60°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – a nice little bonus if you’re in a wettie.

Thursday afternoon doesn’t get any better; the swell drops a hair and the wind goes cross-shore. By Friday the 31st, we’re dropping even more. Friday afternoon does go glassy for a few hours, which is beautiful for a paddle, but the surf is just too small and weak. Saturday the 1st of August shows a bit more energy, with a 6 ft swell, but it’s short-period windswell at 8 seconds and from the NW. The afternoon session goes glassy, which will help the shape, but that short period is just gonna make for a fat, gutless wave. There’s a window on Saturday afternoon that could be a fun little grovel on a longboard if you’re desperate for a saltwater fix.

The standouts? Mate, there aren’t any. This is a tough run. For the next week and a half, the swell energy just keeps dropping off a cliff. We go from weak, marginal levels down to poor, tiny surf from Tuesday the 4th of August right through to the end of the forecast. Mostly onshore winds and small, weak swell. It’s going to be a long, flat run.

Honestly, for the next 16 days, the best bet is probably Friday afternoon, July 31st, when it goes glassy, or Saturday afternoon, August 1st, when the swell is a bit bigger but still on the weak side. If you have a foamy or a big log, you might get a few 3 ft to 3 ft dribblers. Otherwise, it’s a good time to wax your boards and wait for a proper swell.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
1
2
3
2
2
4
2
2
3
2
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
1.8
NW
8
1.3
WNW
8
0.8
SSW
14
1.7
NW
8
1.7
NW
8
1.7
WNW
8
2.5
NW
9
1.9
WNW
9
1.9
WNW
10
1.9
WNW
10
1.9
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
8
0.8
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
527
402
408
218
276
328
362
381
993
586
625
665
678
437
363
280
222
160
119
96
108
Wind (km/h)
5
W
5
WNW
5
N
5
WSW
5
W
5
N
5
WSW
5
W
5
N
5
SW
5
WSW
5
NNW
5
SSW
10
SW
0
SE
10
SSW
10
SW
5
SE
10
SSW
10
SSW
0
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
12:58PM1.27m
11:17PM1.59m
1:17PM1.30m
11:56PM1.50m
1:39PM1.36m
00:38AM1.39m
2:04PM1.43m
1:28AM1.25m
2:33PM1.52m
2:28AM1.11m
3:08PM1.60m
3:51AM0.99m
3:50PM1.68m
Low Tide
5:30PM0.83m
6:07AM-0.12m
6:06PM0.76m
6:32AM-0.04m
6:49PM0.67m
6:58AM0.09m
7:38PM0.59m
7:26AM0.26m
8:37PM0.49m
7:57AM0.45m
9:45PM0.38m
8:31AM0.66m
11:01PM0.25m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:13
6:13
6:13
6:15
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:16
8:15
8:15
8:14
8:13
8:12
8:10
 mm
Temp °C
20
24
18
20
24
19
20
23
18
19
21
16
18
20
16
19
21
17
19
21
18
Feels °C
19
22
18
19
23
19
20
23
19
19
21
16
17
19
16
18
20
17
18
20
18
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Steamer Lane-The Slot Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Steamer Lane-The Slot provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Steamer Lane-The Slot can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Steamer Lane-The Slot surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Steamer Lane-The Slot) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Steamer Lane-The Slot may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Steamer Lane-The Slot is 3 km (2 miles) from Santa Cruz. If you plan a vacation in Santa Cruz, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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