Tourmaline Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our local lineup. Let’s be real – it’s a bit of a slow start. We’ve got a long stretch of marginal conditions coming up, but there’s a pulse of proper energy lurking way out in the back half of the forecast that’s got my attention for the patient ones.

The pattern starts off quiet. We’re looking at Tourmaline, which is our only option on the cards, and for the first week and a half, it’s pretty grim. The water is sitting at 70°F at the start, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.

The first window of anything worth paddling out for looks like it’s going to be a bit of a long shot. From Wednesday afternoon, July 8th, through the following week, we’re stuck with weak, messy conditions. Wave heights are tiny, mostly around 3 feet, and the wind is cross-on or onshore. The combined energy is weak, staying in the low hundreds (557), and the period is either too short or just not organized. The reports are all "poor" or "marginal" – it’s just not worth getting wet.

We hit a bit of a dead zone. The mornings and afterdays from July 9th through July 18th are all rated poorly. There’s a short period on July 14th afternoon where the wind goes cross-shore, but the swell is a pathetic 2 feet with a high period of 18 seconds, which will just slide past without any push. That’s a kite-surfing kind of day, not for a paddle.

Now, hold on, because the end of the run is where it gets interesting. On Sunday, July 19th, we finally see some grunt. The swell jumps up, with the morning seeing 4 feet from the South and the afternoon building to 5 feet. The combined energy goes through the roof – 1071 in the morning and a massive 1567 in the afternoon. That’s a solid pulse of energy. The period is a long 16 seconds, which is proper groundswell. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s rideable.

The standout moment is the afternoon of July 19th. Tourmaline is a reef break, and with that 5-foot South swell and 16-second period, it’s going to get some nice lines. The wind is light, so it’ll be a bit lumpy but not blown out. Keep in mind, with a long period like that, the sets will be slower and more powerful, and the reef will handle it better than a beach break. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

The energy carries into Monday, July 20th. The swell holds at 6 feet with a 14-second period, but the combined energy drops to 1153. It’s still a solid size, but it might be pushing the limits for beginners. The wind looks a bit better in the morning (light onshore), but by afternoon the cross-onshore comes up and makes it choppy.

After that, it fades fast. Tuesday, July 21st, the swell drops back to 3 feet, and the energy is back to weak (640). The rest of the week into July 23rd is just small, weak, and not worth the drive.

So, the bottom line: The first 11 days are a bust. Don’t bother. The best bet is the afternoon of July 19th at Tourmaline. That’s your standout. The morning of July 20th is also a good call for the bigger swell, but it’s a bit more raw. For the rest of the run, save your wax.

Rusty.

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