The Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what The Pines has got cookin’.

Honestly, for a spot that barely ever breaks, the next couple of weeks are a weird mix of potential and frustration. There’s a lot of south swell in the water, but the conditions are all over the place. The water’s sitting at about 59°, which is a touch cooler than normal for this time of year—nothing crazy, just a brisk reminder you’re not in the tropics.

Right off the bat, Saturday the 4th is a write-off: 8ft of SSW swell with a 13-second period, but that cross-onshore wind makes it a complete mess. The combined energy is strong (1811) but the quality isn’t there. Sunday the 5th is actually bigger – 12ft, long period at 17 seconds – but the wind is on it, and the tide or something is questionable. It’s just not lining up.

Monday the 6th drops to 7ft, but again, cross-onshore wind. We see a pattern here: solid swell energy (1748 on Monday morning) but the breeze keeps ruining it. Tuesday the 7th is smaller at 5ft, and for a rarely-breaking reef, that’s probably not doing much.

Now, Wednesday the 8th is where I start to get a little interested. That’s a 8ft SSW swell with an 18-second period—that’s proper long-period groundswell—and the energy is strong (3323). The wind is cross, not onshore. It’s still a “marginal” call, but for this spot, that’s the best we’ve seen in a week. The Pines is a reef, so that long period is your friend here.

The next real highlight doesn’t come until Friday the 10th. Morning session looks the pick: 5ft SSW, 15-second period, and a cross-offshore wind from the north. That’s clean. Energy is moderate (1659). It’s not massive, but for such an inconsistent break, getting clean surf is a win. Crowds are often around, so expect company.

Then the swell goes small and the wind goes nuts. Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th are a complete loss – rain, strong winds, and tiny 3ft to 4ft swell. Not worth paddling out.

It cranks back up on Monday the 13th: 10ft SSW, but the period drops to 11 seconds. That’s still a solid swell with strong energy (2723), but the wind is cross-off in the morning and goes fully cross in the afternoon with 12ft. This is big, punchy, and messy.

Now, hold onto your board. Wednesday the 15th morning is the hands-down best on offer. 10ft of SSW swell, 16-second period, light offshore breeze, clean as a whistle. The combined energy is massive (4382), and the notes say “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a standout. But at 10ft, it’s strictly for experts. The Pines is a reef, and that long-period groundswell will bend beautifully around the reef, but it’s going to be powerful. Crowds are often, and this one will draw a crowd.

After that, the wind goes onshore again Thursday the 16th, ruining an 8ft swell. The final few days from Friday the 17th to Sunday the 19th tail off: smaller swell (3ft to 6ft), cross-onshore or offshore but just not enough size or energy to get excited about.

Bottom line: If you're an experienced surfer, circle Wednesday morning, July 15th. That’s the one. Friday the 10th morning is a solid backup for a smaller, cleaner session. The rest is either too messy, too small, or too blown out.

Rusty.

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