Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Tunnels.

We’ve got a slow start. The first real chance of a session doesn’t show up until Wednesday afternoon, 15 July. Before that, Sunday the 12th through Tuesday the 14th is all poor conditions. Small swell around 3 to 3 feet, cross-off winds from the ENE at 15 to 22 mph, just messy. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday afternoon the 15th gives us a flicker. The wind goes light offshore from the East, and the surf cleans up. Swell is a touch over 2 feet from the West with a 15-second period. Combined energy is moderate at 421. Tunnels likes a bit more SW in the angle, but with offshore wind and that long period, you’ll find some peeling lines. It’s a marginal call – you’ll need to work the tide – but it’s your first real go.

Thursday the 16th steps back. Morning is marginal, and the afternoon brings a longer 17-second swell from the SSW, but the wind goes cross-off and the surf quality drops to poor.

Now, the long-range forecast from Wednesday 22 July through Saturday 26 July is the real story. This is still a ways out, so keep an open mind.

On Wednesday the 22nd, the swell period is a massive 24 seconds – very long, groundswell. Swell height is only around 2 to 2 feet from the SSW, but that period is crazy. Combined energy is 600-696. Winds are cross-off from the ENE, so the ocean will be clean. That long of a period on a reef like Tunnels could produce some long, lined-up waves, but it’s still dialed in.

Thursday the 23rd holds energy readings of 824-890, with a 20-21 second period. Swell stays around 3 feet from the SSW. Winds still cross-off. This could shape up nicely.

Friday the 24th keeps the 3-foot swell from the SSW, period drops to 17-18 seconds, but the energy stays up, especially Friday afternoon at 920.

Saturday the 25th is your standout. The morning offers a 3-foot swell from the South with a 20-second period and energy of 861. Then the afternoon bumps to a 3-foot South swell, 19-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1068 – that’s strong. Winds are cross-off from the ENE. For Tunnels, a South swell hits the reef well. The period is long, giving the waves real power and shape. That afternoon on Saturday the 25th is the one to aim for.

Sunday the 26th still has a 3 to 4-foot swell from the South with 16-17 second periods and energy in the 650-750 range. It’s still surfable, but Saturday looks cleaner and more powerful.

Overall, the first week is a write-off. Your first chance is Wednesday the 15th for a small, clean session. The real action, if it holds, is from Wednesday the 22nd through Saturday the 26th, with Saturday the 25th afternoon being the best bet. Tunnels gets crowded, so plan accordingly.

Water temp is pretty normal for July, no major swings.

Keep your eyes on the charts, and I’ll see you out there.

Rusty.

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