15th Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for 15th Street over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a rough patch to start, but there’s a glimmer of something good way out there if you’ve got patience.

Right now and for several days, it’s pretty grim. The first real surf on offer is a small, clean-ish window on Friday afternoon, July 10th. We’re looking at a 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 15-second period, but the wind is a cross-on from the WSW at 9 mph, messing up what could be nice. Combined wave energy is moderate at 459, but the report says poor surf conditions, so don’t get your hopes up. Water temp is sitting at 72°, which is a whopping 5° warmer than usual for this time of year — that’s very unusual, you’ll definitely notice the bathwater.

Saturday, July 11th, is much the same story: 3ft SSW swell, same long period, but again cross-on wind in the morning. The afternoon goes onshore with a W wind at 6 mph, but it’s still marginal. Sunday, July 12th, the swell drops a touch to 3ft, and the wind is lighter from the WSW at 3 mph, but it’s still cross-on. The wave energy is dropping (391), and conditions are marginal at best. Honestly, through the weekend, it’s a struggle.

The whole first week, from July 10th through to July 18th, is a real grind. Swells stay small, between 2ft and 3ft, and the winds are mostly onshore or cross-on. Wave energy sits in the low to mid hundreds — weak to moderate stuff. There’s a brief little spike on the morning of Saturday, July 18th, where a 3ft SW groundswell comes with a long 18-second period and combined energy jumps to 535, but the wind is onshore from the WSW at 9 mph, so it’s messy. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a saltwater rinse.

Now, hang on to your board, because Sunday, July 19th, is the one that catches your eye. We’ve got a 4ft S swell rolling in with a period of 14-15 seconds. The combined wave energy blows up to 1173 — that’s strong, real strong energy for this spot. But here’s the kicker: the wind is onshore from the W at 9 mph both morning and afternoon. The report says marginal surf conditions because of the tide and the wind. It’s frustrating. That much energy with clean wind would be a dream, but instead, it’s going to be a bumpy, choppy mess. Keep an eye on it though, if the wind backs off, that’s your biggest window of the forecast.

After that, from July 20th through the 25th, it settles back into the same old pattern: 3ft to 3ft swells from the SSW, with cross-on winds and moderate energy levels around 300 to 700. Nothing screams “go now.” The standout, such as it is, remains Sunday, July 19th, with that big energy pulse, but only if you’re willing to battle the onshore wind. That’s the best on offer, and it’s a conditional one.

Also, 15th Street is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the swell, and it breaks consistently. With the swell staying under 5ft for almost the whole period, it's fine for beginners most days, but the really big energy day on the 19th at 4ft could be pushing the upper end for learners, especially with the wind messing it up.

Crowds are “often” here, so expect company on any half-decent day. The optimum swell direction for this spot is WSW, and the best swells we get are from the S or SSW — not quite perfect, but close enough to work.

So, to sum it up: the first week is poor to marginal. The second week has that one big energy day on July 19th, but it’s blown out. After that, it’s a long, quiet stretch of marginal surf through to the end of the forecast period. Not a great run, but keep an eye on that Sunday, July 19th — if the wind switches, it could be the only real highlight.

Rusty.

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