Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Tunnels.

First thing you need to know – the water is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. No shock to the system there.

Now, the honest truth for the next week and a half is… a bit of a grind. We’ve got consistent, clean conditions thanks to a steady cross-off breeze, but the swell is struggling to get its act together. From Sunday the 19th right through to the end of July, we’re looking at small, weak surf. The swell heights are mostly under 3 ft, with periods that are all over the place. The combined energy is a real mixed bag – you’ll see three-digit numbers, which is moderate energy, but the actual wave quality is rated as poor or marginal. Between the 19th and the 29th, there’s no standout day. It’s a flat spell with a few ankle-to-knee-high leftovers. The wind is cross-off but it’s also a moderate to fresh breeze, so it’s not glassy, just clean and a bit bumpy.

Things start to look a little more interesting at the very end of the month. On Thursday the 30th of July, we finally see a shift. The wind drops to a slight 3 mph from the north in the morning, and the swell direction swings to the south with a 12-second period. The energy is still low (113), but the light wind is a big positive. By Thursday afternoon, the wind picks up a bit from the north-northeast at 9 mph, but the swell jumps to a 2 ft south-west groundswell with an 18-second period. That’s a long-period swell, which means better shaped, more powerful waves at a reef like Tunnels. The energy bumps up to 361. It’s still marginal, but it’s the first real sign of life.

Friday the 31st of July looks like the best of the bunch. The morning has a 2 ft south-west swell with a 16-second period, and the wind is light and cross-off from the east at 9 mph. The energy is 408 – moderate, but with that long period, it’ll have some punch. The wind is gentle, so the surface will be clean. This is your window. It’s not a big swell, but for a reef break that loves a south-west swell, it’ll be the most fun you’ll see in this forecast. The afternoon sees the wind pick up again, so get on it early.

From Saturday the 1st of August onwards, we drift back into small, windy conditions with the swell dropping off again. The energy levels fall back into the 100-300 range, and the wind is a fresh cross-off. It’s not a write-off, but it’s back to the small stuff.

Bottom line: The first 11 days are a write-off for any serious surfing. The standout is the morning of Friday the 31st of July. Get there early for a clean, 2 ft south-west groundswell. It’s not a bomb, but it’s the only real window of quality in the whole 16-day run.

Stay patient.
Rusty.

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