Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the first week and a bit is a tough one for anyone hunting a proper wave. There’s a bit of swell around, but the wind is a constant cross-off from the ENE, and it’s blowing hard – 15 to 19 mph most of the time. It’s keeping the surface clean, but the waves are small and disorganised. For the first several days, from Friday the 7th right through to the middle of the following week, the surf is just poor. The combined swell energy is pretty weak for the first few days, only hitting around 127 (moderate) on the Friday afternoon, and even when it climbs to 300-314 (moderate) by Saturday, the swell height is only 2 ft to 2 ft. It’s not doing anything for us.

There’s a slight flicker of hope on Tuesday the 11th morning, with a marginal call. Swell picks up to 3 ft from the SSW, and the energy is at 296 (moderate). But that wind is still a fresh 12 mph, keeping it bumpy. The water temperature is sitting at 80°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The real standout, the only window that gets my heart beating a little faster, is on Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th. The swell builds to 3 ft-4 ft from the S, with a period of 15-18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, folks. The combined energy jumps to 812 (strong) on Wednesday morning and stays strong through Thursday. This is the best we’ve got. The wind is still cross-off from the ENE at 19-22 mph, which is a real shame. It’s not offshore, so it’s never going to be perfect, but the swell itself has some punch. Because it’s a long-period swell, it’ll wrap around the point breaks better and offer some decent lines. Tunnels is exposed to the SW, and this S swell is coming in from a good direction for it. It’s a fairly consistent break, so there will be waves, but it’s going to be busy – crowds are often here. For intermediate surfers, these days are the call. The swell is around 3 ft, not too big, not too small.

After that, it drops off again. The weekend of the 17th-18th is poor, with the wind howling at 25-28 mph. Then Tuesday the 18th morning has a spike of 6 ft, but it’s a short-period wind swell of only 7 seconds, and the energy is 522 (moderate). The wind is still cross-off. That’s a messy, lumpy wave – looks more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle-surfing one.

The very end of the run, on Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th, shows a little glimmer. The wind finally swings to a light offshore (E to ESE, 6-9 mph) and the waves are small, 1 ft-2 ft, but the period is 12-16 seconds. The combined energy is low (74-129, weak to moderate). It’s surfable, but only just, and very ordinary. A long way out, and not certain.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is the Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th. Swell from the S, 3 ft-4 ft, with strong energy and decent period. The wind is a bummer, but it’s the only real window with some power. Keep your eyes on that.

Rusty.

Read more