Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s have a look at what’s on the table.

Alright, let’s be straight with each other. We’ve got one break on the radar: Tunnels. It’s exposed to the swell, and it catches a bit of a pulse early next week. The opening day, Monday the 7th of September, sees a solid push – morning starts with a clean, fresh offshore breeze from the east at 19 mph, and a 3ft SSW swell with a very long period of 17 seconds. That long period means proper groundswell energy, and with that offshore wind, Tunnels will be clean and lined up. The combined energy is 1059 (moderate). It’s a fairly consistent spot, so you can expect sets. The water temp is 81°, pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Crowds are likely though – Tunnels often has company in the water.

By Monday afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft from the SW, period drops a notch to 14 seconds, but the offshore wind holds from the ESE at 19 mph. That’s proper, meaty surf. Still clean, still punchy. This is the standout of the whole outlook.

Now, Tuesday the 8th sees the swell hanging in at 7ft from the SSW in the morning, but the wind swings to a southerly cross-off at 22 mph, which will mess with the face a bit. Still clean-ish, but not as good as Monday. The period drops to 9 seconds – short period windswell mixing in. Afternoon drops to 6ft but with an 8-second period – not as inviting.

From Wednesday the 9th onward, the swell fades and the winds go cross-off or cross-shore, with only small waist-high waves around 3ft and long periods returning, but weak energy. The combined energy drops into the 300s – weak. From Thursday the 10th right through to the 22nd of September, it’s a long stretch of tiny, weak surf. Most days have poor surf conditions, with cross-off winds and swells between 1ft and 3ft. The combined energy hangs mostly in the low hundreds to around 500 – weak to very weak. Not worth paddling out for.

So, the best on offer is clear: Monday the 7th of September at Tunnels, especially the morning session with that long-period groundswell and offshore wind. The afternoon is also quality but bigger. After that, it’s a dry spell for over a week and a half. Still, Monday is a cracker.

Rusty.

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