The Wharf Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here again. Let’s break this down. We’ve got a long stretch ahead, and I’ll be straight with you—it’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of windows that’ll get the heart rate up. We’re looking at The Wharf Lefts, and the first week or so is mostly about waiting. The surf is small, the winds are a constant cross-off, and honestly, it’s not doing much for anyone. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about normal for this time of year, so a solid 0.4° anomaly—nothing to write home about, just your standard warm summer water.

The first few days, from the 4th through the 8th, are pretty flat-out poor. Swell heights are hovering around 1ft with periods that are all over the place—some 12-second groundswell, some 17-second stuff, but the energy is weak, with combined energy values mostly under 100, like 87 and 99. It’s surfable but only just, and the constant 19-31 mph ENE wind isn't helping. It’s cross-off, so it’s not totally messy, but it’s not clean either. I wouldn’t bother getting wet unless you’re desperate for a paddle.

The 9th and 10th aren’t much better. We get a slight bump in size on the 10th afternoon to 3ft, but the energy is still moderate at best, hitting 292. The wind stays annoying. It’s a big old “meh” from me.

Now, here’s where things start to get interesting. Around the 12th and 13th, we finally see a real pulse. The swell jumps to 3ft on the 12th, and the combined energy skyrockets to 742. That’s a serious jump in energy, and while the period is a solid 18 seconds—that’s proper groundswell—it’s still on the small side. The 13th sees it creep up to 3ft to 4ft, with energy still strong in the 500-600 range. The wind is still cross-off, but it’s cleaner, and the swell direction swings around to a more southerly angle. This is looking like the first real window of the period. It’s not huge, but it’s got some push, and with that long period, it should be lining up nicely on the reef. The Wharf Lefts is a reef break, and this kind of long-period SW/S swell is exactly what it wants. It’s a standout just for being the first decent surf of the run.

After that, the 14th through the 18th is a slow fade again. Swell drops back to 3ft and then down to 1ft. The energy fades from 429 back down to under 200 by the 16th, and the wind stays in that moderate to fresh cross-off range. It’s a dead zone. You’re looking at at least four days of not much.

But hold on, because the 19th throws us a curveball. The swell direction shifts to the SW, and the period jumps to a very long 21 seconds. The height is only 2ft, but the energy is back up to 324. That’s a whisper of a groundswell, a long-period pulse that could actually wrap in nicely. It’s a promising sign, but it’s a week away, so take it with a grain of salt. Long-range forecasts are less certain, but this one has some potential.

So, if you’re picking your battles, the 12th and 13th are your best bet. The swell is the biggest, the energy is the strongest, and the wind is as good as it’s going to get. It’s not a day for beginners—it’s over 3ft, but it’s well under the 5ft mark, so it’s doable for intermediates. The 13th afternoon with 4ft and a 15-second period is about as good as it gets here. The 19th is a wildcard, but I wouldn't book my day off work for it just yet.

Rusty.

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