Turtle Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the forecast for Turtle Cove. It’s a reef and point set-up, exposed to the swell, and it prefers the swell from the southeast.

Right now, we’re looking at a pretty grim run of surf. The next week and a bit is a write-off, plain and simple. From Sunday the 26th of July right through to the end of the month, we’ve got almost nothing. Tiny, weak, short-period slop with cross-onshore winds. The combined energy is barely a whisper on the first morning, and it drops into the double digits for days after. The water is a bit colder than normal at 68°, about 3° cooler than usual for this time of year, so you’ll feel that nip.

The first couple of days of August are no better. We’re looking at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with weak, short-period swell and onshore or cross-shore winds. The energy stays low, mostly in the double digits. It’s not surfable.

Then, there’s a little flicker. On Monday the 3rd of August, we finally see a pulse of south swell push through. The height jumps to 7 ft and the combined energy hits 587. But the report still calls it marginal. The swell period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit bumpy, even with clean conditions. Tuesday the 4th of August looks a bit better for the average surfer, with swell dropping to 5 ft and the energy settling at 252. The wind is light and cross-offshore, which is a big positive. The waves should be clean and rideable, but it’s not a standout.

The real standout, the one worth waiting for, is Friday the 7th of August. This is the best on offer. The morning shows a solid 7 ft south swell, with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is a strong 875. That’s a lot of power. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the north at just 3 mph, which is glassy perfection. The afternoon holds similar size with a clean cross-off breeze. This is a big, powerful swell for Turtle Cove. Over 8 ft is expert territory, so at 7 ft, it’s a solid intermediate to advanced wave. The swell direction is from the south, which isn’t the optimum southeast, but with that much energy and clean conditions, it’s still going to fire. Expect crowds to be possible, as it’s a fairly consistent spot and this is the best day in the forecast.

Saturday the 8th of August is a hangover from that day. The swell drops to 5 ft, the energy is down to 280, and the wind is a light cross-onshore in the morning. The afternoon cleans up nicely with a cross-offshore breeze, and the swell settles to 5 ft. It’s good, but not the standout.

After that, the surf fades out again. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th of August are back to small, weak, cross-shore conditions. The energy is in the double digits again.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a total write-off. Don’t bother. The only real window of opportunity is Monday the 3rd through to Saturday the 8th of August, with Friday the 7th being the absolute gem. Keep an eye on the forecasts for that Friday, because that’s your best chance all month.

Rusty.

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