Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, it's Rusty.

Look, I've had a good look at the forecast for our region, and I gotta be straight with you – it's a pretty lean stretch. There's a real dry spell on the cards, with the first eight days or so offering nothing but "poor surf conditions" across the board. The only spot we've got to work with is Tunnels, and it's just not cooperating for the near future. The water temp is sitting at a comfortable 81°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so at least you won't be needing a steamer when you're just sitting there watching flat waves.

From Friday the 28th of August right through to the end of the first week of September, we're looking at a lot of nothing. Swell heights are tiny, mostly under 3 ft, and while the wind is a steady cross-off from the ENE, it's blowing at 19 mph, which is a bloody fresh breeze. The energy is weak to moderate at best, with readings like 356 and 440, but the wave comment is always "poor surf conditions." It's just not on.

We do get a little flicker of hope on Tuesday the 1st of September morning, where the combined energy jumps to 504 (moderate) and the period stretches to 18 seconds, but the forecast still calls it "marginal." The swell is a tiny 3 ft from the SSW, and with that 19 mph cross-off breeze, it's just not enough to get excited about.

Then things get serious. The whole first week of September is a write-off. The wind picks up, and by the 8th of September, we've got a "near gale" from the north at 31 mph with a risk of thunderstorms. That's not surf weather, that's a day to stay home and watch the roof.

The real standout, and the only window worth circling on your calendar, is Thursday the 10th of September. For the first time in the whole forecast, we get a "gentle offshore" wind from the east at just 9 mph. That's clean, glassy conditions. The swell is small, at 2 ft from the SSW with a period of 16 seconds (a nice long-period groundswell), and the combined energy is 246 (weak). It's a "gentle offshore and clean" setup. Tunnels is an exposed break that likes a southwest swell and an east offshore wind, so this is a match. The forecast gives it a "2 out of 10," which in this context is actually the best we've got by a long shot. It won't be epic, but it'll be ridable and clean. Don't expect consistency, but if you're desperate for a paddle, this is your best bet.

After that, we're back into the doldrums. Friday the 11th of September morning shows zero swell energy, and the rest of the 16-day run is just more cross-off winds and tiny lumps. It's a tough stretch, mates. When it's this quiet for this long, you just have to wait for a change in the pattern.

Rusty.

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