Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this isn’t one of those weeks where you’re itching to get the board out. The whole 16-day window looks pretty flat and ordinary for Tunnels, with the only real hope being a modest bump in the second week. Right now, we’re looking at a long stretch of nothing special.

The water’s sitting at 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the steamer yet.

For the first week, honestly, it’s a write-off. From Monday 3rd August through to Tuesday 11th August, we’re stuck with tiny 1ft to 3ft swell from the SSW or S, and the wind is a cross-off from the ENE, blowing at 12 to 19 mph most days. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate (50 to 331), but the waves are just too small and messy to bother with. The comment says “poor surf conditions” for nearly every session, and the odd “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” doesn’t change the fact you’re better off doing something else. The wind is a moderate to fresh breeze, so it’s not clean enough for these tiny waves to be any fun.

Now, there’s a glimmer from Wednesday 12th August. The swell picks up a bit to 3ft to 3ft from the S, with a long period of 18 seconds toward the start. The combined energy jumps to strong (781 to 884), which sounds exciting, but the wind is still cranking from the ENE at 16 to 19 mph, cross-off as always. The report calls it “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so it’s not a total loss, but it’s not a standout either. The long period means the waves will have some shape, but with that onshore-ish cross-off, it’ll be a bit bumpy. Tunnels is exposed to SW swell, and this S swell is a bit off-angle, so it won’t be firing at its best.

Thursday 13th to Friday 14th August keeps the same story: 3ft S swell, 15 to 16 seconds, combined energy still strong (677 to 758), but the wind hasn’t let up. Still “marginal” conditions. The best of the lot is probably the Wednesday morning or Thursday morning, if you’re desperate for a paddle and don’t mind the wind. But honestly, it’s not a day to call in sick.

After that, from Saturday 15th August onward, it drops back to 2ft to 2ft with the wind getting even stronger (22 to 25 mph), and the combined energy falls off to moderate. Surfable? No. Worth it? No.

The only real standout in this whole forecast is the Wednesday 12th August morning and afternoon, where the swell hits 3ft with a 18-second period from the S. The combined energy is strong (781 to 884), and while the wind is cross-off, it’s not howling as hard as the days after. It’s the best on offer, but that’s not saying much. Don’t expect perfection.

So, wrap it up: the first week is a total dud, with a modest bump in the second week that’s still held back by wind. If you’re a beginner, the 3ft swell is fine, but the wind and cross-off conditions won’t make it easy. For experts, it’s not big enough to get excited about. Check back—things can change.

Rusty.

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