Telescopes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's cut through the forecast models and talk about what's actually gonna be worth paddling out for at Telescopes. This is a solid reef break, so it handles a decent swell, but we've got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way.

The set-up is a consistent, exposed SW reef at Telescopes, and the water is sitting at about 85.8°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a nice little bonus.

We kick things off on Thursday the 23rd, but don't get too excited just yet. The swell is up around 4.9ft to 5.2ft from the SSE, but the wind is a moderate cross-offshore from the SE at 15.5 mph. It's clean, but the forecast is a bit iffy, and honestly, the wave energy is only moderate (500-661). This stretch through to Sunday morning the 26th is pretty average. The swell hangs around 4.9ft to 6.2ft, but that persistent SE wind keeps it from being anything special. The energy does pick up to a moderate 835-870 on Friday the 24th and Saturday, but the conditions are just "marginal."

Now, Sunday afternoon the 26th is where the light starts to appear. The wind drops to a light breeze from the SSE at 6.2 mph, and the swell settles to 4.6ft. It's still a cross-off, but cleaner. The wave energy is moderate (508), and the forecast says "very good."

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th drop off in size, with the swell going down to 2.3ft-3.3ft. But hold on. Tuesday afternoon the 28th is a little gem. The wind goes glassy, flat calm from the SSW, and the swell period jumps to 15 seconds. That's a proper groundswell, even if it's small. The energy is moderate (370), and it's a glassy, clean sheet. This is a good one for the longboard or a fish.

Then we get a run of classic conditions. Wednesday the 29th is glassy again, with a 2.6ft SW groundswell at 14 seconds. The energy bumps up to 511, and it's "very good." Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st mornings see the wind go light and offshore from the ESE, with the swell building to 3.3ft-3.6ft and the period stretching to a massive 17-19 seconds. The energy is getting strong (835-991). This is a real treat for a reef break like Telescopes, as that long period groundswell will line up beautifully.

But the absolute standout is Friday afternoon the 31st of July. The wind drops to glassy from the SSE, the swell is 4.3ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, and the wave energy is a strong 1360. That's a serious number for this spot. The forecast is calling for "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is the one to circle on the calendar. Saturday the 1st of August looks just as good, with glassy conditions and a 4.9ft-5.2ft SSW swell. The energy is still strong (1183-1471). The crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have a few others out, but it won't be a circus.

Now, after that gem, we hit a bit of a rough patch. From Sunday the 2nd of August through to Wednesday the 5th, the wind swings onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell gets a bit jumbled. The size is still there, 4.3ft to 6.6ft, and the energy is strong (987-2540), but the wind is messy. The forecast is "marginal." For a reef, onshore wind is a buzzkill. It might be worth a look if you're desperate, but it's not the pick.

The forecast picks up again on Thursday the 6th of August. The wind goes light and cross-off from the NE, and the swell is 4.6ft from the SSW. The energy is moderate (980), and it's clean. Then Thursday afternoon, it goes glassy again with a 4.9ft SSW swell. The energy is strong (1135), and the forecast is "excellent for experienced surfers." That's a good one.

The very end of the run, Friday the 7th of August, sees the wind turning onshore again, so it's a bit of a downer to finish on.

So, the best of the best? Friday the 31st of July afternoon and Saturday the 1st of August are the true standouts. Glassy, clean, strong SW groundswell, and excellent conditions for a reef break. For a smaller, more mellow session, Tuesday the 28th of July afternoon is a glassy gem.

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