Telescopes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, grab your leggies, this is Rusty checkin' in from the beach. We’ve got a ripper sixteen-day window shaping up at Telescopes, and honestly, it’s one of those rare runs where the ocean just dials it in. The water's sitting at a balmy 86.0°F, 1.3°F warmer than the long-term average for this time of year, so it’s a touch toastier than usual—not freakish, but noticeably pleasant.

The run kicks off this Saturday afternoon, the 11th of July. It’s not going to set the world on fire; we’re looking at a short and a bit untidy 4.3ft SSW swell, with a cross breeze ruining the finish. The combined wave energy is moderate (660). Honestly, better to wait. Sunday the 12th cleans right up, though. Light cross-off breezes from the SSE, a smaller but cleaner 3.3ft to 2.6ft SSW groundswell (period of 12 seconds) rolling in. That combined energy drops to a moderate 334 to 317, but the glassy mornings and clean afternoon faces will make for fun, smaller waves. Not a standout, but a solid start.

Monday the 13th the swell bumps up again, 3.6ft to 3.9ft SSW, still with those lovely clean cross-off winds. The energy builds to moderate 574 to 769— waves are starting to get some push. Tuesday the 14th is where the magic begins. We’ve got a 4.3ft SSW groundswell with a period jumping right up to 17-18 seconds—that’s proper long-period groundswell, packing a punch. The combined energy surges into strong territory (1222). The winds are clean and cross-off. This is brilliant for a reef break like Telescopes; that long period will wrap in and set up some beautiful, hollow lines. This is a serious contender for the best window.

Wednesday the 15th is a bit of a reset. The swell holds at 3.9ft to 4.6ft, still a long 15-second period from the SSW, but the wind goes cross-shore and the conditions get a slight chop. The energy stays strong (885-908), but the quality takes a hit. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th bounce back nicely, with clean, cross-off winds and a solid 3.9ft to 4.3ft SW groundswell. Thursday sees a moderate 622-608 energy, Friday kicks it up to strong (778). Saturday the 18th stays good, smaller at 3.6ft to 4.3ft SW, with light offshore breezes in the morning—clean, fun, not groundbreaking.

Then, hold onto your board. Sunday the 19th of July is an absolute screamer. The fetch lines up differently, and we get a 3.6ft S swell with a monster 21-second period in the morning, building to a 5.2ft S swell at 19 seconds by the afternoon. The combined energy goes ballistic: strong to very strong, hitting 1416 then 2196. The wind? Glassy in the afternoon, cross-off in the morning. This is the standout of the whole run. That long-period S swell on a reef like Telescopes is going to produce some of the best, most lined-up waves you’ll see. It’s a surfer’s dream.

Monday the 20th keeps the fire burning. A big 6.6ft SSW groundswell in the morning (17-second period), easing slightly to 5.6ft in the afternoon. The energy is very strong at 2310 and 1627. The winds are clean, light. This is proper, powerful surf—over 5ft, so beginners should be cautious, but for the experienced crew, it’s on. Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd see the swell ease back to 4.3ft to 4.6ft, but the quality stays high with light breezes and even a glassy session on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Energy holds strong in the 698-894 range.

Thursday the 23rd is a slightly smaller day, 3.9ft to 4.3ft SSE to S swell, period dropping to 10 seconds, energy moderate to strong (491-563). Still clean, still fun. Friday the 24th throws another wildcard: a 2.6ft S groundswell in the morning, but with a 17-second period, jumping to a 3.0ft S swell at 19 seconds in the afternoon with glassy conditions. The energy is very strong at 1235 in the afternoon—those long-period lines on a smaller height will be super clean, maybe a bit fat at the reefs, but pure quality. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th wrap the run up beautifully. Saturday has a 3.9ft S swell at 17 seconds under clean breezes, energy strong (1366). Sunday offers a 3.0ft SSE swell with a 20-second period—very long period again—and morning offshore winds with afternoon glass. That very long-period swell will be best for the reef, where it can focus.

All in all, Telescopes is the only game in town, and it’s a bloody good game. The standout is clearly Sunday the 19th of July through to Tuesday the 21st of July, with

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