Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Tunnels over the next couple of weeks.

This is a bit of a slow burner, to be honest. We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands for the good stuff. The first solid push of south swell kicks in on Sunday the 16th of August, but it’s not a straightforward one. That Sunday morning sees a solid 7 ft of short-period SSE swell hitting, but with a risk of thunderstorms and the energy reading a punchy 972 (moderate to strong). However, it’s a bit raw. The standout for the whole outlook comes Sunday afternoon: that SSE swell drops to 4 ft with an offshore wind. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it won’t have the grunt of a groundswell, but the wind will clean it right up. The combined energy is still solid at 364 (moderate). This is your window if you’re intermediate and can handle a bit of a punchy, crumbly wave. Tunnels is an exposed spot, so it picks up everything, and with the offshores, it’ll be looking pretty tidy.

The water’s sitting at a warm 80° with an anomaly of 0.5°, so normal for this time of year.

After that Sunday session, we drop right off. Monday the 17th through Wednesday the 20th is a write-off with tiny, weak swell and nowhere near enough energy to get excited about. You’d be wasting your time.

Around Thursday the 21st of August, we start to see some life come back with a long-period SW groundswell. The swell stays small, around 2 ft, but the period hits 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. Those long lines will wrap in, but at beach breaks they tend to straighten out, so Tunnels being a reef/point is good news. The energy readings are moderate in the 300s. Winds are light cross-off, so it’s surfable. Nothing to go crazy over, but a paddle for the dedicated.

The real sweet spot, and the best on offer in the second week, lands on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of August. Saturday morning (Aug 22) has a light cross-off breeze with a 2 ft SW swell at 16 seconds and combined energy of 305 (moderate). By the afternoon, the wind drops to a slight air – barely breathing. Clean. Then Sunday the 23rd of August is a beauty: glassy conditions in the morning, light offshore in the afternoon, with a 2 ft SSW groundswell at 15 seconds. Combined energy sits around 278 (moderate). That’s clean, lined-up waves for the experienced surfer. It won’t be big, but it’ll be quality.

Crowds at Tunnels are often, so expect company for that Sunday glass-off. The optimum swell direction for Tunnels is SW, so both that Saturday and Sunday swells are a solid match. That’s the pick of the longer-range period, though remember, it’s a way out, so keep an eye on it.

After that, we get messy again with strong winds through Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th, kicking up bumpy conditions. The swell stays small and the wind onshore-ish, making it a no-go for paddle surfing. Might be worth a look for the kite crew.

So, to sum it up: jump on the Sunday afternoon (Aug 16) if you want the biggest, punchiest wave of the outlook, or wait for the glassy, long-period lines on the 23rd of August for the cleanest, most enjoyable surf.

Stay wet, Rusty.

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