Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this surf report done proper.

First up, looking at the whole 16-day window for Tunnels, it’s a bit of a mixed bag but there is a proper window of opportunity in the first few days, then a long stretch of meh, before a promising little window pops up right at the end. The standout action is definitely on the first Thursday and Friday morning.

We kick off on Thursday the 20th of August morning. The water sits at 80°, which is dead average for this time of year. The swell is coming from the SW at 2ft with a very long period of 18 seconds. That's groundswell energy for sure, with moderate energy reading (249). That long period will make the waves shape up well here at Tunnels, but that kind of period can make beach breaks a bit straight; Tunnels is exposed and handles this nicely. The wind is a light NNE cross-off at 6 mph, keeping things clean. That’s the best session on offer. The afternoon sees the wind pick up to 12 mph and go cross-shore, which messes it up.

Friday the 21st of August morning is another clean one. Swell holds at 2ft from the SW, still a long 17-second period, and the wind drops to a glassy 3 mph cross-off. Energy bumps up a bit (353). That’s a solid morning for intermediate surfers. The afternoon stays clean with a light NE breeze.

Now, from Saturday the 22nd of August through to basically the end of the month, we hit a real dry spell. The wind cranks up from the ENE, hitting 19-25 mph, and stays cross-off. The swell is tiny, mostly 2ft to 2ft, and while the period stays moderate, the conditions are blown out. The combined energy fluctuates but it’s all poor surf conditions. That stretch lasts over a week.

Into the first week of September, it’s still poor. The wind stays strong from the ENE and NE through Tuesday the 2nd. The swell remains small and weak. It’s a real blank run for good waves.

Then we get a flicker of hope. Thursday the 3rd of September morning, the wind goes glassy from the south at 3 mph, a proper rarity. Swell is 3ft from the south with a 12-second period, energy at 228. That is a clean, fun-sized morning. The glassy conditions make it a standout.

Friday the 4th of September morning also looks good. Another glassy start with wind from the NE at 3 mph. Swell picks up energy at 233 from a 2ft, 14-second period from the west. That afternoon the swell really bumps up in energy to 414 with a 19-second period from the south, but it’s marginal due to the wind picking up. Still, the morning on Friday the 4th is a quality, clean option.

So overall, the best bet is the first Thursday and Friday morning, August 20-21. The late run on September 3rd and 4th mornings is worth keeping an eye on, but it’s further out, so less certain. Crowds are often here at Tunnels, so expect company on those good days.

Rusty.

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