Tunnels Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a bit of a frustrating run ahead at Tunnels. The first few days are a real write-off, so don’t be in a rush to paddle out. The water is sitting at 79.9°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The opening stretch from Monday the 27th of July right through to the end of the first week is mostly a bust. The swell is tiny, around 1.3 ft to 2.6 ft, and the wind is stubbornly cross-off from the NE or ENE, often blowing a fresh 16 mph to 25 mph. That’s keeping things lumpy and messy. Wednesday the 29th of July afternoon sees a brief flicker of hope with a score of 2, but with only 2.0 ft of swell from the S at 13 seconds, it’s not exactly going to have you racing for the car. The combined energy is weak to moderate (208), so it’s really just a small, clean wave for a patient surfer.

The whole first week is a grind. The swell stays tiny, and the wind doesn’t let up. There’s no real stand-out day until we get further out.

Now, look ahead to the second week. The real glimmer comes on Monday the 10th of August. The morning shows a small 2.0 ft SSW swell, but with a period of 16 seconds, that’s a proper long-period groundswell. The wind goes offshore from the ESE at only 6 mph, which is a major positive for clean, peeling waves. The combined energy is solidly moderate (422). This is the pick of the window. Tunnels should be offering up some clean, lined-up waves. Be aware of the long period though – it can make the waves a bit straight at a beach break, but for a reef or point setup, this is gold.

Tuesday the 11th of August also offers a chance. The morning has a 1.6 ft swell from the S (15 seconds) with light cross-off winds, and the afternoon goes glassy with only 3 mph winds. The combined energy is moderate (238). The conditions will be tiny but clean, and that glassy afternoon session is a rare treat. Crowds are often a factor here, so expect some company.

Overall, the first week is a skip. The only true standouts are Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th of August. If you can wait, those two days are worth the patience.

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