30th Street/Ship Bottom Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for 30th Street/Ship Bottom over the next 16 days.

First off, let’s be straight with you – this is a slow run for the Jersey Shore. The water is a toasty 77°, which is a whopping 6° warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual, like swimming in a bathtub. But the surf? It’s mostly a no-show for the first week.

We kick off Wednesday, July 8th, with weak, short-period windswell. The combined energy is a measly 45, and it’s just a messy, cross-onshore chop. Not worth paddling out for. That theme continues right through the weekend and into the next week. Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th offer a brief moment of clean conditions with the cross-offshore wind, but the swell is too small at 1 ft to 2 ft, and the energy is pathetic. Saturday and Sunday the 11th and 12th are even worse with onshore winds.

Things start to look a little more interesting on Monday, July 13th, with a slightly bigger 4 ft to 5 ft swell from the east, but the onshore wind is still ruining it, and the wave energy is still only moderate (109 to 174). It’s a frustrating wait.

The only real standout comes mid-week. On Tuesday, July 14th, for the morning session, we get a decent push of energy. The swell height is 5 ft from the ESE, with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy jumps right up to a solid 379. The wind is light and cross-offshore, which will keep it clean. This is the best we’re going to see. It’s a moderate-sized, clean wave at 30th Street, but know that it’s a beginner-friendly break, so if you’re looking for a fun, manageable wave, this is your window. The afternoon drops off quickly with stronger wind, so get on it early.

After that little spike, it’s back to the doldrums. Wednesday the 15th through to the end of the forecast window on July 23rd, the swell energy is weak, mostly under 100, and the waves stay small. There are a few glimmers of glassy conditions on the 16th afternoon and 21st afternoon, but the swell is too tiny to be more than a paddle. Offshore winds on the 19th and 20th keep things clean, but the wave heights are below 3 ft.

To be honest, Tuesday morning, July 14th, is your only real shot at a decent session. Everything else is a flat spell with a few ripples. If you’re desperate, the glassy, small waves on the 16th or 21st might be worth a splash, but don’t expect much.

Rusty.

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