Tubes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up at Tubes.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the long-range picture has a couple of real standouts if you’re willing to be patient. This is a sheltered reef and point setup that really needs the wind to play ball, and for the first several days, it’s mostly a waiting game.

The water is currently sitting at a chilly 61°, which is a solid 5° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit.

The first chance for a surf comes Tuesday morning, September 15th. It’s small, just 3ft from the SW with a 12-second period, but the wind is clean, gentle offshore from the WSW. The combined energy is weak (241), so it won't be powerful, but it’ll be clean and surfable. That’s about it for Tuesday though, as the afternoon turns to poor cross-shore slop.

Wednesday the 16th sees a big jump in size to 10ft, with a long 14-second period groundswell, and combined energy is through the roof (3869). This is expert territory at this size, and with a moderate cross-offshore wind, it’ll be clean. It’s big and powerful with a long period, which means it’ll be better on the point than out front. Thursday morning stays solid at 8ft, but the wind shifts to a gentle cross-onshore, making it choppy.

From Thursday afternoon right through to the end of Saturday the 19th, it’s pretty ordinary. Cross-onshore winds and lumpy, choppy conditions mean it’s a write-off.

Sunday the 20th offers a clean window with a moderate cross-offshore wind and a solid 8ft from the ESE (surprising direction for this spot), but the period is short at 10 seconds. It’s also dumping heavy rain. Combined energy is strong (2481), but the swell direction isn’t ideal for Tubes.

The first genuine standout is Monday, September 21st. We’ve got a 6ft SW groundswell with a clean 13-second period, and the wind is light and offshore from the SW, giving us clean, lined-up waves. Combined energy is strong at 1378, and the swell direction matches the optimum SSW. Crowds are possible, as it’s a consistent break that can get busy. It drops to 6ft in the afternoon, still with gentle offshore wind, making for a solid day of surfing.

The next few days after that are a mixed bag of onshore winds and chop until the next big opportunity.

The absolute standout of the whole outlook lands on Saturday, September 26th in the afternoon. This is a special one. We’ve got clean 6ft of SW groundswell with a 14-second period, and the wind is straight offshore from the WSW. The combined energy is very strong (2172), and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one to circle in your calendar.

Then on Sunday, September 27th morning, it gets glassy. Dead flat 3 mph wind from the WSW, a 5ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and strong energy (1466). Glassy conditions at Tubes don’t happen often, so if you can get out there, it’ll be worth the effort. The afternoon stays clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 5ft.

The last real highlight is Wednesday, September 30th morning. Another glassy morning with 3 mph wind from the SE, 4ft of SW groundswell, a 13-second period, and moderate energy (1029). The afternoon is clean and light offshore, dropping to 4ft, but still fun for a log.

Stay patient this week, the second half of the window has the magic.

Rusty out.

Read more