Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, I’ve got to be honest with you – it’s a pretty grim run for a while. The first real stretch of decent-looking surf isn’t until early next week, so we’re looking at a solid gap of about 10 days with nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny and the wind is a stubborn cross-off, which just isn’t doing us any favours. The water temp is sitting around 80°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re waiting.

Now, let’s talk about the one spot that’s on the radar: Tunnels. This is an exposed SW spot, and it’s fairly consistent, but the crowds can be an issue. For the first week and a half, it’s all poor surf conditions with weak energy (the combined energy is mostly in the low two-digit to low three-digit range – weak to moderate). The swell is tiny, around 1ft to 2ft from the SW or SSW, with a period of 12 to 16 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, which usually means better shaped waves, but with so little height, it’s just not going to be a fun paddle.

Things finally start to show a pulse on Thursday, August 13th. The morning looks promising with a 4ft S swell and a period of 16 seconds, and the energy jumps way up to 949 (moderate). The wind is a light breeze, so it’s clean. By the afternoon, it gets even better – the wind shifts offshore from the ESE, turning it glassy and clean. That’s the standout window. The swell direction is a good match for the spot’s optimum SW direction, so the waves should have some shape. The swell is just over 3ft, so it’s still manageable for most intermediates, but it’s not a beginner wave due to the period. The only catch is that Tunnels is a reef and point setup, so that long-period S swell will wrap in nicely, and you’ll get those longer gaps between sets making it easier to get out the back.

If you’re a beginner, the size on the 13th might be a bit much for you. For the experts, the 4ft isn’t big, but the quality should be there. After that, the swell drops back off into the weekend, with the energy fading and the wind picking up again.

So, the best call is without a doubt Thursday, August 13th at Tunnels. The afternoon session with that offshore wind is the one to aim for. It’s a rare good window in a pretty flat outlook, so get it while you can.

Rusty.

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