30th Street/Ship Bottom Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get to it. This is Rusty, coming at you straight from the beach.

Right off the bat, I’ve gotta be honest with you: the next week and a half is a tough watch. We’re looking at a long stretch of pretty flat, grovelly, or just plain messy conditions. The first real surfable day that’s worth getting the board waxed for doesn’t show up until Saturday the 23rd, and even then it’s just a one-star kind of day. So, for the next ten days or so, we’re in a bit of a hole. It’s not a total washout, but patience is key.

Let’s break it down. Through the weekend and into next week, we’ve got tiny, short-period windswell. Saturday the 11th is a write-off—1 ft of SSE swell with a weak 6-second period and cross-onshore breeze. The combined energy is a measly 16. That’s nothing. Sunday the 12th sees a little bump to 3 ft, but it’s straight onshore from the east, so it’s choppy and blown out. The water temperature is sitting at a toasty 77°, which is a full 5° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a major anomaly. You might not need a wetsuit, but you won’t need a board either.

The next week is a grind. The swell stays tiny, mostly under 2 ft, with periods around 5-6 seconds. The wind teases us with some clean, offshore or glassy conditions on the mornings of the 15th, 16th, and 17th, but the swell is just too small to make it worth the paddle. The energy is in the teens and twenties. You’d be better off doing a dawn patrol on a lake.

Alright, the first real glimmer of hope comes on Saturday the 23rd of July. The afternoon session at 30th Street/Ship Bottom shows a bit of life. We’ll see a 4 ft swell coming from the east, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 127 (moderate), and the wind turns light and cross-offshore from the SSW. That’s clean. It’s still not a classic, but it’s the first window where the waves are actually surfable. It’s only a one-star day, but it’s a start.

Then, the standout of the entire forecast period lands on Friday the 24th of July. The afternoon session is a solid two-star call. The swell is 4 ft from the SSE, with a 7-second period, but the combined energy is a robust 225 (strong). The wind is clean and cross-offshore from the WNW. That’s a good combo. The waves will have some push and shape, and the conditions will be clean. This is the best day on offer. It’s still a beach break, so the longer period (7 seconds) is fine, but it won’t be the most lined-up thing you’ve ever seen. Still, for a break that’s “fairly consistent” and exposed to the SE, this is your window.

The next morning, Saturday the 25th, holds a little more of that energy with a 4 ft SSE swell and clean offshore wind from the west, but it’s a step down. After that, Sunday the 26th brings back the onshore wind and choppy conditions.

So, for the whole 16-day window, there’s one real standout: Friday afternoon, the 24th of July, at 30th Street/Ship Bottom. It’s not a huge swell, but the energy is solid, and the wind is on your side. The long-range call is a bit less certain, but it’s the best bet. The rest of the time? Expect a lot of small, weak, or blown-out surf. Crowds are possible here, especially on a decent day, so keep that in mind.

Rusty.

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