The Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.

We’re looking at a solid stretch of swell coming through, but it’s all aimed at one spot: The Pines. This is a sheltered reef break that rarely breaks, so when it does, you pay attention. The water temperature is sitting at 57.9°, which is a touch cooler than usual for this time of year, about 1.4° below average, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

The action kicks off Wednesday morning, the 15th of July. We’ve got a clean 8.2ft swell from the SSW, with a solid 14-second period. The wind is light offshore from the WNW, and the energy is pumping hard at 2807 (moderate to strong). This is a proper groundswell. The afternoon glassed right off, with the wind dropping to nothing from the SSW, and the waves still a clean 7.9ft. That’s top-tier conditions for a spot that rarely lines up.

Thursday the 16th keeps it going. Morning sees a 8.2ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE, and energy at 2754. The afternoon is glassy again, with the swell holding at 8.2ft and the period stretching to 16 seconds, energy at 3182. That’s the standout window – long period groundswell, totally clean, and the reef will groom it nicely.

Friday the 17th is still very good. Morning has 6.6ft SSW swell, 16-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and energy at 2008. The afternoon drops a touch to 5.9ft, but it’s glassy. The crowds are something to keep in mind here – this spot can get crowded, and with a run of surf this good, you’ll likely have company.

Saturday the 18th fades quickly. The morning is 3.9ft, weak energy at 493, and the wind is cross-offshore. By afternoon, it’s a messy 3.6ft with cross-shore wind. Not worth the paddle.

Sunday the 19th through Tuesday the 22nd is a quiet period. Swell stays under 4.9ft, mostly weak energy, and the wind is often offshore or cross-offshore, but the waves are too small and weak to get excited about. There’s a gap of a few days here where the surf is just ordinary.

Things wake up again on Thursday the 23rd of July. The morning brings a clean 7.9ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, cross-offshore wind, and energy at 2785. The afternoon jumps to 9.8ft, same direction and period, but with a stronger cross-offshore wind. That’s expert territory – over 8.2ft and strong. The energy is 4410, which is very strong.

Friday the 24th is even bigger but messy. Morning has 11.5ft SSW swell, 16-second period, but the wind is light cross-onshore, so the surface will be a bit bumpy. Energy is a massive 6005. This is for experts only, and the wind isn’t doing it any favours. It’s big, powerful, and ugly.

Saturday the 25th brings it back into the sweet spot. Morning has 7.5ft SSW swell, 15-second period, with a gentle offshore breeze from the NW. Energy is 2261. Clean, powerful, and manageable for strong intermediate surfers. The afternoon is still good at 7.2ft but the wind turns a bit cross-offshore.

Sunday the 26th sees the swell dropping to 5.6ft in the morning, still clean with offshore wind, but the energy is down to 948. A fun day, but not a standout.

From Monday the 27th onwards, the swell gets smaller and the period gets long again – up to 20 seconds on Monday afternoon, but the height is only 2.3ft. That’s a lot of time between sets. The wind stays offshore, but it’s not worth chasing.

The best call is Thursday the 16th, both morning and afternoon. That’s the cleanest, most consistent, and highest quality window. The Friday the 17th is a close second. If you can only go once, make it Thursday.

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