Bird Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at a classic run of solid SW groundswell heading our way to Bird Rock. This is a reef break that handles a good direction, and it’s fairly consistent when the ocean’s working. The water temp is sittin’ around 57°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, so nothin’ freaky there.

We’ve got a bit of a quiet start to the forecast window, but things kick off nicely on the morning of Monday, August 31. That morning we’re looking at 5ft of swell out of the SSW with a long 14-second period, and the wind is glassy from the NW. That’s a cracker combo – clean, smooth, and that period gives the waves some real push. The combined energy is moderate at 1099, but the quality will feel better than that number suggests. The afternoon holds up too, with 5ft from the SW and 15 seconds, still glassy. Monday is your pick for a fun, less intense session.

Now, Wednesday September 3 is a different beast. Thursday afternoon has 15ft of SW swell with a 14-second period and clean conditions despite a cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is huge at 9737 – that’s proper power. But listen, at that size, this reef is for experts only. If you’re not confident in big, shifting reef waves, give this a miss. Crowds are a possibility here on the good days, but at that size, it’ll thin out the pack.

Moving into Saturday September 5, we’ve got a 28 mph offshore wind from the WNW. The swell is 8ft to 15ft, but that wind is strong. It’ll be clean on the face but hard to paddle into – you’ll be fighting the wind out the back. Not ideal for most of us.

Looking further ahead, the standout really shapes up for Thursday September 10. The morning session has 8ft of SW groundswell with a 16-second period, glassy conditions from the SSW, and the combined energy is pumping at 5106. That’s excellent, clean, powerful surf for experienced surfers. The swell direction matches up perfectly with Bird Rock’s sweet spot (SW), and with no wind messing it up, this is a top-tier morning.

Later in the second week, Monday September 13 morning brings another good one: 8ft from the SW with a very long 19-second period, light offshore wind, and strong energy (3898). That’s gonna be a smooth, lined-up wave, but with that period, it might stand up a bit straight on the reef – still a beauty for those who know the take-off zone.

Overall, the best on offer is Monday August 31 for the easy-going, glassy conditions, and Thursday September 10 morning for the bigger, cleaner power session. Don’t sleep on the 15ft days if you’re a charger, but respect the reef.

Rusty.

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