Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about what’s comin’ down the pike. The first few days have a little something, but then it’s a long, quiet stretch.

The main spot to focus on is Tunnels, a fairly consistent break that’s open to the ocean. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.

The first real chance to paddle out is on Wednesday, September 9th. It’s a small start, but the conditions are glassy. You’ll find clean skies with a light NNE breeze at 3 mph, making for a smooth morning. Swell is a modest 3 ft from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, so it’ll have some push but expect longer lulls. The combined energy is moderate (389). The afternoon holds up too, with the wind switching to offshore from the east at 6 mph, keeping it tidy. It’s not a big swell, but it’s clean. The place can get a few people, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Thursday the 10th gets a bit harder. Swell drops to 2 ft but the period jumps to 16 seconds – very long lines. That’s a classic groundswell, but it can make Tunnels a bit straight if you’re not in the right spot. The wind picks up, with a moderate ENE breeze at 12 mph coming cross-offshore. The morning might have a sneaky one if the tide’s right, but the afternoon gets windier and the quality fades.

Friday and Saturday (11th and 12th) are a tease. Swell is around 2-3 ft with a long period, but that ENE wind is blowing 9-12 mph, cross-off, and the energy is dropping (245 to 124). It’s marginal to poor. A bit of a waiting game.

Then we hit a big dry patch. From Sunday the 13th through the end of the forecast, it’s mostly poor. The swell is tiny – 2 ft to 2 ft – and the wind, while still cross-off, is too strong, often 15-22 mph from the ENE. The combined energy is weak, mostly under 100. The only blip is Tuesday the 15th, where the swell hits 3 ft with a 20-second period and the energy is moderate (433 and 422), but the wind is still a problem. The models say it’s marginal, but it’s a long shot.

Further out, September 16th through the 18th sees a small bump in swell height to 3-4 ft, with energy climbing into the strong range (541 to 635). But the wind is a fresh 19-22 mph from the ENE, which is too much for clean waves. The period is a solid 16-17 seconds, which is great for shape, but that wind will ruin it. That’s kite-surfing weather, not paddle-surfing.

The standout is that Wednesday morning, September 9th, at Tunnels. It’s the only window where the wind is light and offshore, the swell is rideable, and everything lines up. A small, clean, fun session. After that, it’s a long wait until the very end of the month, where Thursday the 24th shows a possible return to marginal conditions with 3 ft from the SSW, but it’s a long way off and not something to bank on.

Rusty.

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