Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got coming down the line for Tunnels.

Right now, the surf is in a real slump. The first recommendation doesn’t even show up until Sunday morning, July 5th, and even then it’s a marginal call with questionable tide conditions. The water is sitting at 80°, which is pretty normal for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Sunday morning, July 5th, we’re looking at a 3 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 18-second period. The combined swell energy is moderate at 665. That kind of period is going to produce clean, well-shaped lines, but the size is small and the wind is a fresh cross-offshore from the ENE at 35 km/h. That cross-off will keep the surface clean but it’s not glassy. Tunnels gets often crowded, and with the long-period swell, it should be working best on the reef setup here. The swell is coming from SSW, and the optimum direction is SW, so it’s a little off-angle but still plenty of exposure.

Monday through Saturday, July 6th to 11th, is a write-off. The scores all point to poor surf conditions. The swell hangs around 2 ft to 3 ft, still SSW or SW, but the periods drop a bit and the energy fades. The wind stays fresh cross-off. Not worth paddling out.

Sunday, July 12th, the morning shows 3 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, 470 combined energy. Still small, but the wind drops to a moderate breeze from the NE at 25 km/h. That’s a better wind angle, but it’s still cross-off. It’s an improvement, but still not a standout.

Then, on Tuesday, July 14th, things get interesting. We see 2 ft swell from the west with a 16-second period and the combined energy jumps to 634. That’s a solid bump in energy. The wind eases to a moderate breeze from the east at 25 km/h, cross-off again. This is the best on offer for the whole period. That west direction is nearly dead on for the optimum SW, so Tunnels should be getting proper lines. The size is small, but the quality from that long-period west swell with the moderate cross-off breeze will make for clean, glassy faces. It’s small enough for any intermediate, and with the consistent break, the lulls will be manageable. Crowds are likely here often.

Wednesday, July 15th, sees the morning with a gentle breeze from the east at 15 km/h, 2 ft west swell, 356 energy. That’s your cleanest wind window. It’s a nice follow-up session.

After that, from Thursday July 16th through to Monday July 20th, the surf slowly fades back to poor conditions. The swell drops to 2 ft, periods shorten, and the fresh cross-off wind returns. Not much to write home about.

So, the standout session is hands down Tuesday July 14th. That west groundswell with the moderate cross-off breeze and the jump in energy (634) is the pick of the 16 days. The Sunday July 5th session is marginal but rideable if you’re desperate. Everything else is a long gap of poor surf until the 14th, then a short window of clean small waves before it goes flat again.

Stay patient. The long-range call for the 14th looks promising but not locked in.

Rusty.

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