Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this into feet and miles per hour for you.

First off, we’re lookin’ at Tunnels – it’s the only spot worth talkin’ about here. The forecast goes out 16 days, and we got a bit of a slow start, so don’t get the board waxed too early.

The water temp is about normal for this time of year, sittin’ at 81°F – nothin’ unusual.

So, Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are duds. Swell is there, but the wind is a fresh cross-offshore from the ENE at 22 mph and the waves are junk. Wave energy is moderate (between 413 and 435), but it’s not doing you any favors. Friday the 4th is the same story. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th start to show some life. Swell comes up to 5ft to 6ft from the S/SSW, and the energy gets stronger (658 to 1338). The wind backs off a bit Sunday, but it’s still cross-off. The surf is marginal, but that longer 12-second period swell gives it a bit of shape.

Monday the 7th gets chunkier – 7ft from the SW with a 14-second period and strong energy (2257). But with that cross-off wind and risk of thunderstorms, it’s a tricky one. Tuesday the 8th sees a monster 16ft from the SSW, but a 28 mph south wind ruins it. Afternoon drops to 8ft, but still not pretty.

Here’s the standout – Wednesday the 9th. The morning is glassy – a dead calm from the ESE at just 3 mph. We’ve got a clean 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 14-second period. Wave energy is moderate (516), but the conditions are rated “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the session. That long period means the swell will wrap in nicely, and with glassy winds, you’ll be lookin’ at clean, smooth lines. Crowds are often here, so get there early. The afternoon stays clean with a light offshore.

After that, it fades. Thursday the 10th through to Sunday the 13th sees the swell drop to tiny 1ft to 2ft and the wind picks back up from the ENE. Not much goin’ on.

Then, lookin’ at the long-range, Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th show a bit of potential. Swell picks up to 2ft–4ft from the SW with a very long period – 19 to 21 seconds! That’s serious groundswell. Wave energy is moderate to strong (522 to 885). The wind stays cross-off from the ENE around 16–19 mph though, so the conditions are only marginal. Still, a 21-second groundswell at Tunnels can produce some real gems – wedgy and hollow. It’s a week and a half out, so don’t get too excited yet, but keep it on the radar.

For the second week, it’s mostly small and windy – a few days with marginal or poor surf. Nothin’ to lose sleep over.

The best on offer: No doubt – Wednesday the 9th morning. Glassy, clean, shoulder-high groundswell. That’s your wave.

Rusty.

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