Tarantulas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Tarantulas.

This is a beach and reef break, exposed, and it needs the swell to come from the southwest to really line up. The water’s sitting at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – you’ll notice it.

The first real push comes Sunday the 13th, with 10ft of NW windswell at a short 8 seconds. The combined swell energy is strong at 1360. Problem is, the wind is howling 22 mph from the NNW – cross-offshore, so the surface is clean, but that’s a lot of lumpy, short-period power. It’s a “marginal” call because of tide or conditions. Monday the 14th drops to 7ft, but the wind goes cross and the quality fades. Tuesday the 15th still has 7ft but a light cross-onshore breeze – small ripples, nothing clean.

Honestly, the first week is a struggle. The real standout comes much later. On Monday the 28th, we get 7ft from the NW in the morning, and the combined energy jumps to 1426. The wind goes cross-off from the NNW by the afternoon and it’s clean – that’s the best session in the whole forecast. It’s still only “marginal” on paper, but it’s the biggest, cleanest punch. The 25th of September afternoon is a solid backup with 5ft, 10 seconds, and cross-off NNW wind – clean, but less power at 786.

Tarantulas doesn’t give up the good stuff easily. When the swell is over 5ft with short period, it gets heavy. Over 8ft is for experts only. The 13th and the 28th both push past that mark.

There’s a rough patch from the 16th through the 20th where the swell drops under 3ft and the wind is cross or onshore – five days of basically nothing worth paddling out for.

Keep your eye on the 28th. It’s the most powerful, cleanest day on offer. Not perfect, but it’s the one.

- Rusty

Read more