Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here.

Water temp is sitting about 79°F, right on the average for this time of year.

It’s a tricky forecast. Tunnels is the only game in town, and it’s a real mixed bag. We’ve got a steady stream of long-period groundswell, mainly from the SSW, but the wind is a problem. It’s a cross-off from the ENE, blowing a steady 18-20 mph most days, which is going to mess up the surface. The wave heights are tiny, 1 to 3 feet, but the energy numbers are big – jumping from 390 up to over 1000 (moderate to strong energy). The periods are 16 to 24 seconds in the middle of the run, which is proper long-period stuff. That kind of energy will jack up fast and can look a bit straight at a beach break, but Tunnels can handle it.

From Friday the 17th through Sunday the 26th, it’s a long stretch of marginal to poor surf. The swell is there, but it’s not clean. The ENE wind just won’t let up. The first time we see a glimmer of something better is the afternoon of Friday the 24th. That afternoon, you’ve got 2 feet of SSW swell with a 21-second period and a massive energy reading of 1009 (very strong). It’s still cross-off, but the power is serious. That’s a moment for the strong paddlers.

The real standout, the only one worth planning around, is the morning of Thursday the 30th of July. The wind drops to a light breeze from the NE at 9 mph. We’ve got 2 feet of S swell at 13 seconds, with a combined energy of 317 (moderate). The wind is lighter than any other day, and the swell is from a better angle for Tunnels. It’s the cleanest window in the whole 16 days. Tunnels is fairly consistent, so it’ll be breaking, and it’s exposed, so it’ll pick up that energy. Expect a crowd, but that’s the price for a good one.

After that, it fades out. The last week into August is all small, messy surf with dropping energy. Swell drops to 2 feet and the periods fall back to 13-15 seconds, with the wind coming back up. Not worth chasing.

So, the call is: Thursday the 30th of July morning is your chance. It’s the one session where the wind gives you a break. The rest is a grind.

Rusty.

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