Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the full rundown for Strand (Pipe). We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it’s a bit of a slow burner for the first few days.

Things start off this Sunday, the 12th, with a building swell. The morning is looking pretty tidy with a 5ft south swell, 11-second period, and light east winds keeping it clean. The water is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (904). Surf’s on the cards, but the standout quality really kicks off later. Sunday afternoon gets glassy as the wind drops to next to nothing, and the swell drops to 3ft – clean but smaller.

Monday the 13th drops right off with tiny 3ft and 2ft waves. Glassy conditions, but very ordinary. Tuesday the 14th is a write-off with tiny, weak swell (80-83 energy) and messy wind. Wednesday the 15th brings a bit of hope with a long-period 17-second groundswell pushing 6ft by the afternoon. That’s a big, powerful swell, but with cross-shore winds, it’s going to be tricky. The energy is strong (1722). That long period really wants a reef or point to shine, and Strand is a beach-and-reef setup, so it might be lumpy. Thursday the 16th cleans up nicely in the afternoon with glassy conditions and 5ft SW swell, very good potential.

Now, here’s where we get the real standout. Friday the 17th is the pick of the first week. The morning is clean with a 6ft SSW swell, 11-second period, and cross-offshore winds. The energy is solid (844). By the afternoon, it’s pushing 8ft with a 12-second period – that’s powerful, expert-level stuff with clean side-offshore wind. The combined energy jumps to 1343. This is a proper session for experienced surfers.

Saturday the 18th is also excellent. Glassy morning with 6ft, 13-second SSW groundswell, and very clean. The energy is 965. The afternoon goes glassy with 4ft – perfect for a longboard.

The following week gets a bit quieter until a real bomb shows up. Tuesday the 21st is a huge standout. We’re looking at a 7ft SSW swell in the morning, jumping to 8ft in the afternoon, with 10-11 second periods. The winds are offshore, and the wave energy is massive (1579 in the morning, 2424 in the afternoon). This is expert terrain, and it’s clean. Then Wednesday the 22nd is even bigger – 8ft in the morning, 7ft in the afternoon, with 14-second long-period groundswell and glassy conditions. The energy is over 2700 – that’s strong to very strong. This is the peak of the run, but it’s only for the bold.

Thursday the 23rd gets ruined by a strong 25 mph NNW cross-onshore wind, making a mess of the 7ft swell. Friday the 24th is big but questionable; 8ft with 18-second period and high energy (3841) but cross-offshore winds, it’ll be a challenge.

The final weekend, Saturday the 25th, is a last true highlight. The morning is glassy with a 6ft, 15-second SSW groundswell, clean and powerful. Energy is 1668. Sunday the 26th sees 10ft waves – massive, for experts only – with cross-offshore winds in the afternoon, producing 2682 energy. That’s a serious session.

Crowds at Strand are sometimes a problem, especially on the standout days, so get in early. The 21st, 22nd, and 25th are the ones to circle on your calendar.

Rusty.

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