Tubes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it.

Things have been a bit rough around here at Tubes. A solid groundswell is pulsing in, but the wind has been a real bastard for the most part, keeping the quality well below what that energy suggests. That first chunk of the forecast is pretty much a write-off for clean surfing.

It kicks off on Thursday the 3rd of September with a decent 8ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, carrying some serious grunt (combined energy of 1996). But the cross-shore wind creates a bit of chop, so it’s messy. That afternoon, the swell drops to 5ft from the SW, but the cross breeze doesn’t let up. Friday the 4th is a full washout with a lumpy 10ft SE windswell and strong cross-onshore winds. Saturday and Sunday the 5th and 6th are also blown out; Sunday morning even sees a very long-period 5ft SSW swell at 21 seconds, but the cross-onshore wind at 22 mph just wrecks it – that sort of period needs protection.

Monday the 7th is still on the fence with some clean-ish windows, but it’s nothing to write home about. Marginal at best.

Now, the standout window finally arrives on Tuesday the 8th of September. That morning, it all comes together. We get a clean 5ft SW swell (13 seconds) and it’s *glassy* – SSE wind at just 3 mph. The combined energy is a moderate 743, but with those conditions, the reef will be working nicely. This is the pick of the first week. Keep in mind the water is running about 62°F, which is much colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent suit.

Wednesday the 9th afternoon brings a little reprieve with a moderate offshore wind, but the swell is small at 4ft.

There’s another long gap of poor conditions through the end of the first week and into the second, with onshore winds and lumpy seas.

But keep your eye on Wednesday the 16th of September. That morning has a clean 7ft SW swell (14 seconds) with a light cross-offshore wind – that’s going to be proper. And then Thursday the 17th morning has a 8ft SW swell with a fresh offshore wind at 19 mph, making for some powerful, lined-up waves. That’s expert territory at that size, but for the experienced crew, it’s worth the wait.

The very end of the forecast, Friday the 18th, turns nasty again with a huge 18ft SW swell, but it’s howling cross-shore and lumpy. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than anything for a paddle board.

Bottom line: Tuesday the 8th morning is the smartest call for clean, surfable waves. The longer-range session on Wednesday the 16th morning has the size and potential for a standout, but it’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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