The Well Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's talk The Well – only one break on the menu for this whole area, so we're working with what we've got. Over the next 16 days, there is a big gap from now until the morning of Sunday the 16th. Nothing worth paddling out for before that. The start is a bust: Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are all poor to marginal surf conditions, with cross-onshore breeze and massive, lumpy swell that'll look like a washing machine. You'll see a lot of water moving but not much you'd want to sit outside on.

Come Sunday morning the 16th, things start to clean up. The offshore wind swings around from the ENE at 6 mph, the swell drops to a more manageable 10 ft from the SW, and the wave energy is moderate (3673). It's a long-period groundswell (14 seconds), so you'll feel the power, and the wave comment says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is a reef break, and it's exposed to the swell, so those long lines will jack up nice. Water temp is about average for the time of year at 58° if you're here early. Monday morning the 17th is a standout: 7 ft SW swell, light offshore breeze from the E at 6 mph, and clean conditions. The energy is low (1651), but that makes for punchy, rippable waves without the chaos.

Into the second week, Tuesday the 18th is excellent for the experienced crew again, with a 6 ft SW swell, 18-second period, and a glassy offshore NNE breeze at 3 mph. Clean and lined up. Wednesday the 19th is solid too – clear skies, offshore wind from NNE at 12 mph, 6 ft swell, and clean faces. The energy stays moderate. Thursday the 21st shows a shift in swell direction to W and a period dropping to 11 seconds, but still 7 ft and excellent conditions. The standout for the whole run might be Sunday the 23rd: 12 ft from WSW, 17-second period, moderate energy (7712), and cross-offshore wind from NNW at 12 mph – clean and very powerful. But that's a long way off, so treat it as promising but not certain.

For the rest, it's a mix of clean but smaller days and some dodgy cross-onshore chop toward the end. Crowds are possible at The Well when it's good, so get in early. This is a reef break, so it's for advanced surfers only – especially when the swell is over 8 ft. On the massive days like Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th, with 13-16 ft and strong cross-onshore winds, it's a kite-surfing setup more than paddle surfing. Bottom line: wait for Sunday the 16th onward, and pick your windows.

Rusty.

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