The Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for The Pines.

First up, the water’s sitting at about 58°F, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing unusual there, just your standard coolish welcome.

The Pines is a tricky little reef, and it’s a rare breaker. It’s very sheltered and only really works when the swell lines up just right from the SE. That means when it’s on, it’s a gem, but it stays quiet for long stretches. The good news is, we’ve got a pulse coming through.

We start off with a bit of a wait. The first real action kicks off on Friday, 31 July afternoon, but it’s a bit messy with a cross-on breeze and marginal conditions. Not worth getting wet for. The whole first weekend is a bit of a mixed bag, but the standout is Saturday, 1 August. The morning shows a clean 6ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period and a light cross-off wind. The afternoon cleans up even more with a solid 7ft SSW groundswell and a proper offshore breeze. That’s the pick of the first week. The energy is moderate to strong (1905 and 2521), so there’s some push behind it. Be aware though, the period is long, so at a reef break like this, the sets will be widely spaced but the waves will have real shape. It’s a beginner-friendly spot due to the difficulty rating, but at 7ft it’s pushing the limits for newbies.

Sunday morning (2 August) still has size but the wind picks up strong, making it a bit more of a handful. The rest of the first week is a mix of fun-sized mornings and afternoons, with the Wednesday afternoon (5 August) offering a tiny 3ft, super-long period (18s) clean wave – great for a quiet session, but not a standout.

The second week brings a serious shift. Monday, 10 August, is for big-wave hunters only. Swell jumps to 13ft on Monday morning and peaks at 15ft on Monday afternoon with a massive 19-second period. The energy is extreme (7685 and then 22024). This is expert territory all the way. The wind is cross-off but strong, so it’s doable for the brave. The following days stay heavy, with 10ft to 12ft swells, but the wind gets messy later in the week.

The real standout of the entire outlook, though, is Saturday, 15 August. The morning shows a solid 10ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, a gentle offshore wind, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The afternoon is even better with 12ft from the SW and a 17-second period, still with that clean offshore flow. The energy is very strong (4855 and 5965). This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a real “call in sick” kind of day, but only for those who know what they’re doing. The Pines is rarely breaking, so when it lines up like this, it’s a special moment.

Keep in mind that through the second week, the confidence is lower, but the signals are too good to ignore. The Pines is a rare break, so these big swells with the right wind and direction are a true gift. Expect crowds to be possible, as word gets out.

Rusty, signing off.

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