The Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it’s a bit of a slow burn with a few standout moments. The Pines is the only game in town, and it’s a reef setup that rarely breaks, so when it does, you pay attention.

The pattern kicks off Saturday, July 25th, with some real promise. Morning sees a clean 8ft SSW swell rolling in with a 13-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-off. The water is sitting at 58°, which is right about average for this time of year. The wave energy is pumping at a strong 2239 (moderate-to-strong energy), and the conditions are set up for some very good surf. This is the standout session of the early window. By the afternoon, it’s still clean with a 8ft SSW swell, but the energy is still high at 1599.

Sunday, July 26th, keeps the good times rolling with a smaller but still fun 6ft SSW swell in the morning. Winds go light offshore, keeping it clean. The energy is down to 946 (moderate), but it’s still a solid session. The afternoon holds at 6ft with gentle offshore winds, though the conditions are described as ordinary.

Monday, July 27th, sees a drop in size to 5ft, but the wind gets nasty with a moderate to fresh breeze, making it a write-off. Tuesday the 28th has a few pulses of 5ft to 6ft, but the wind is cross-off and the conditions are marginal at best.

Now, Wednesday, July 29th, is a beast. We’re looking at a massive 13ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, and the wave energy is through the roof at 6813 (very strong). That’s big, heavy, and expert-only territory. The problem is the wind is cross-on and cross-shore, making it fairly choppy. It’s more of a spectacle than a paddle session unless you’re a seasoned charger. For the average surfer, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

We hit a bit of a lull from Thursday, July 30th, through to Friday, July 31st, with small 5ft to 7ft swells and light winds. The best of that stretch is Friday afternoon, July 31st, with a glassy 5ft SSW swell. Clean, but small.

Then you get your next real standout. Saturday, August 1st, is a cracker. Morning sees a 7ft SSW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, and the wind is offshore. The wave energy is strong at 2715. This is groundswell perfection, and it’s going to be clean and powerful. The afternoon builds to 8ft with a 18-second period and offshore wind, and energy jumps to 3903. This is the best on offer in the whole window. Keep in mind that long-period swell like this can break a bit straight at a beach break, but at a reef like The Pines, it should be lined up and hollow. It’s a rare break, so crowds are possible.

Sunday, August 2nd, gets messy with an 8ft swell but strong cross-on winds, making it a no-go. Monday the 3rd is similar, with cross-on winds and a 7ft swell. The energy drops off hard into Tuesday and Wednesday, August 4th and 5th, with tiny 2ft to 4ft swells and strong offshore winds that make it clean but hard to paddle into.

Thursday, August 6th, is a small, clean day but nothing to write home about. Then, Friday, August 7th, delivers another late-week standout. Morning has a 7ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, gentle offshore wind, and very strong energy at 3061. The afternoon gets even better with a 10ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and still offshore, with energy at 3570. That’s a big, clean, powerful day for experts.

The final weekend, August 8th and 9th, fades out. Saturday has a clean 7ft morning, but it gets smaller and wind-affected by afternoon. Sunday is a total washout with strong cross-on winds and a small 4ft swell.

So, if you’re picking your moments, the absolute best is Saturday, August 1st, with that long-period groundswell and offshore winds. Friday, August 7th, is a close second for the big-wave hunters. The early session on Saturday, July 25th, is also a solid clean start. The rest is a mixed bag of small, windy, or too big and messy.

Rusty out.

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