Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get right into it for Tunnels. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.

The forecast opens with a pretty weak pulse. Wednesday afternoon, July 29th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW swell rolling in at a long 13 seconds, but the wind is just cross and the energy is weak (208). It’s not really calling for a paddle. The water temperature is 80°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprise there.

Thursday morning, July 30th, is where things perk up a bit. The swell bumps up to 3 to 3ft from the S with a nice 14-second period, and we get a light cross-offshore breeze from the E at 6 mph. The energy is moderate (390) and the waves are clean. That’s your best bet this week. The afternoon, however, the wind picks up to 12 mph from the ENE, still cross-off, but a bit messier. The energy is a bit higher (432), but the quality drops.

Friday, July 31st, through to the end of the first week is a write-off. Solid easterly winds blowing 18-25 mph, and while the swell direction swings to the SW, the size is only about 2ft. The energy is going backwards, from 362 down to 106. The waves are there, but the wind is just too strong. It’s gonna be a bumpy, blown-out mess. Not worth it.

The first few days of August are quiet. The swell drops to about 2ft with very weak energy (under 100). The wind stays up and cross-offshore. It’s a flat spell, plain and simple. From Tuesday, August 4th, the morning shows a tiny 2 to 2ft S swell with 12 seconds and lighter wind, but it’s still just “surfable but very ordinary.” Nothing to get excited about.

Now, the second week is where it gets interesting. The outlook starts to build from the 9th of August. On Sunday the 9th, we see a 3 to 3ft SSW swell, but the period is a meaty 18 seconds. The energy is strong (648). The wind is still cross-off from the ENE at 12 mph, but the conditions are described as “marginal.” It’s a long-period groundswell, which for Tunnels, an exposed spot, could mean some nice lines but with a bit of a wait between sets.

The standout window is shaping up for Monday, August 10th, and Tuesday, August 11th. On Monday, we’ve got a clean 3 to 4ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the energy is very strong (657). The wind is light from the E at 9 mph. That’s a solid, clean, long-period swell. The energy is there. Tuesday is similar, with about 3ft SSW swell, 14 seconds, and the wind drops to just 3 mph from the ENE. Near glassy. The energy is still strong (463). This is the pick of the forecast. For an intermediate spot like Tunnels, this is prime. The swell direction matches the optimum SW direction perfectly. The crowds are often, so expect company, but for waves this clean, you’ll take it.

After that, it tails off. Wednesday, August 12th, still has some 2 to 3ft SSW swell and light wind, but the energy is dropping. By Thursday, the 13th, it’s back to small and weak.

So, to sum it up: the first ten days are a mix of weak to flat conditions, with a small window on Thursday morning, July 30th, being the only real bright spot. The true standout is the Monday, August 10th, and Tuesday, August 11th window. That’s the one to circle on your calendar. It’s a bit far out, so keep an eye on it, but the signs are promising.

Rusty, signing off.

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