Tubes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Tubes over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a big, clean SSW groundswell hitting on Wednesday the 19th. Tubes is a reef and point break that loves a SSW direction, and we’re seeing a solid 10ft swell with a 13-second period. The energy is pumping with a combined energy of 2660, and with the wind glassing off from the SW at just 3 mph, it’s going to be absolutely pristine. The water temperature is 55°, which is a whopping 11° colder than usual for this time of year, so expect that deep winter bite. This is proper, powerful surf for experienced surfers only – this isn’t a day for beginners, as 10ft is well over the 8ft expert threshold. Wednesday afternoon holds similar power, though the wind picks up to a moderate 15 mph offshore, so still clean but with a bit more push on the face.

The standout of the whole run looks like Thursday the 20th. The morning bumps up to a massive 13ft from the SW with a strong 14-second period, and the combined energy hits a massive 5705. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore from the WSW, so those waves will be holding their shape. This is big, powerful point and reef surf at its finest. The afternoon stays clean with an 12ft SSW swell under a gentle offshore breeze. Again, these sizes are strictly for the experienced crew.

Friday the 21st sees a drop in quality. The swell backs off to 8ft, but the wind swings cross-onshore from the ESE, making for a bumpy surface. The afternoon gets worse with stronger cross-shore winds, so that day is one to skip.

We get a bit of a mixed bag over the weekend. Saturday the 22nd has a 7ft swell from the SSW, but strong to fresh WSW winds keep it clean though a bit raw. It’s rideable but not the best. Sunday the 23rd looks better, with a clean 8ft SW swell and light offshore SSW winds of just 3 mph in the morning. That’s a nice window for intermediate and above surfers.

Monday the 24th is a real gem for the more experienced intermediate. Afternoon sees a 6ft SSW swell with a very long 16-second period pushing a combined energy of 2018. That’s a classic groundswell, and with light S winds making it glassy, the waves will have that long, waiting energy between sets, perfect for picking off your waves. This could be a highlight for those who like a bit of patience.

The rest of the second week gets tricky. There’s a rough patch from the 25th to the 27th, with onshore winds, a few cross-on days, and the swell dropping down toward 4ft. On Thursday the 27th, there’s a smaller, clean 5ft swell in the morning, but it’s just okay.

Then things get weird for the last few days of August. The 28th is a write-off – strong offshore winds make it hard to paddle into, and by the afternoon we’ve got a 10ft short-period (7 seconds) windswell from the WSW. That’s messy and no good for a surfboard. The 29th brings another big pulse, with 12ft from the SW on Saturday, but the wind is cross-shore, putting a chop on an otherwise powerful swell. Not the cleanest.

The first of September brings some hope. Tuesday the 1st has a 6ft SW swell in the afternoon with a clean offshore wind from the SW. The combined energy is strong at 2079 and the period is a solid 14 seconds. That’s excellent for experienced surfers, and it marks the best day in the start of September.

After that, the swell eases off. Wednesday the 2nd has clean 5-6ft waves, but the energy is dropping into the 600-900 range. Thursday the 3rd falls apart with strong cross-onshore winds.

So to wrap it up: your best surf is Wednesday 19th through Thursday 20th for the big, powerful, and clean groundswell. The second standout is Monday 24th afternoon for the long-period glassy session. September 1st afternoon is another promising call, but it’s further out so keep an eye on it. Crowds at Tubes can be an issue sometimes, as it’s a known spot, but on these bigger days the lineup might thin out a bit. Keep the rubber on, the water is far colder than usual.

Rusty.

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