Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

The next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a real standout session hiding in there if you’re patient. The overall pattern starts with some solid, but messy, swell, then drops off into a long, quiet spell before a cleaner pulse of energy returns.

We kick off the forecast period on Sunday, September 6th. The afternoon is a write-off – a risk of thunderstorms, a moderate breeze blowing cross-off at 25 km/h, and the swell is a messy 1 m at 12 seconds from the SSW. It’s just not worth suiting up for. The combined energy is moderate at 847, but the conditions are marginal.

Things improve a little on Monday, September 7th. The morning brings a clean 1.0 m SSW swell, but the real gem is the Monday afternoon. The swell jumps to 2 m from the SSW, with a period of 12 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the ESE at 25 km/h. The wave comment calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and with a solid 2 m and offshore wind, that’s the truth. The combined energy is strong at 1446. This is the best session on offer. Tunnels will be handling this swell beautifully with that offshore wind grooming it. Be aware, crowds are often here, so expect company.

Tuesday the 8th is a step down. The morning sees a 3 m SW swell with a short 10-second period and a strong 35 km/h cross-off wind from the S. That’s too big and junky for most, and the combined energy is a massive 1974, but the quality is poor. The afternoon drops to 2 m, but the period drops to 8 seconds – short-period, wind-affected slop. Skip it.

From Wednesday, September 9th, through to the following Saturday, September 12th, we hit a lull. Swell heights drop to 1.0 m or less, and while the winds are light and occasionally glassy (like Saturday morning with 0.7 m and glassy conditions), the wave energy is weak. The combined energy values fall to between 100 and 400, just not enough grunt for a proper wave. It’s a long, quiet stretch.

The next real hope comes on Saturday, September 19th. The Saturday morning shows a clean 1.0 m SSW swell with a 15-second period and a light 10 km/h cross-off breeze from the south. The combined energy is a solid 612, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a long-period groundswell, so it’ll be a bit more lined up and powerful, but at a point break like Tunnels, that’s a good thing. It’s a promising long-range call, but keep an eye on it as it gets closer.

The following Sunday and Monday (September 20th and 21st) look to fade back to messy, small, cross-on conditions. Nothing to get excited about.

So, if you’re keen, your window is Monday afternoon, September 7th for the best of the size and clean conditions. Otherwise, hold out for the morning of Saturday, September 19th for a cleaner, longer-period pulse.

Rusty.

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