Bolinas Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming down the line for us.

Overall, we’ve got a bit of a slow start to the run, but things start shaping up later in the first week and there are some promising windows toward the very end of the period. The waves aren’t huge, so we’re looking at fun, manageable conditions rather than any big swell event.

Bolinas Jetty is the only break on the cards for this whole stretch, so that’s where our focus is. Right now, you wouldn’t bother paddling out. Saturday the 12th has a small 2ft SW swell with a nice long 14-second period, but the cross-off wind is 12-15 mph and it’s just not working – the energy reading is 412, which is moderate, but the call is marginal at best. Sunday the 13th is even smaller and windier, definitely a skip day.

The first real highlight comes early on Monday morning, September 14. That’s when the swell bumps up to 5ft from the WNW with a 9-second period, and with a light 3 mph cross-off from the WNW, conditions are clean. The combined swell energy is sitting at 475 – moderate but solid enough to push through. The water is sitting at a very unusual 64°, which is about 5° warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice bonus. This is the pick of the first week for sure – consistent, clean, and a fun size. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so get there early.

From Tuesday morning the 15th through to about Wednesday the 16th, we drop back into marginal or poor conditions with onshore winds and smaller, shorter-period swell. Thursday the 17th is poor – barely worth a mention.

Then we get another little window. Friday morning, September 18, brings back 2ft of SW swell but with a very long 19-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, and with a gentle cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph, the surface will be clean. The combined energy is 363 – moderate – and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” For a jetty and beach setup, that long period can make things a bit fat, but with the wind behaving, it’s a solid session for the patient surfer.

Sunday morning, September 20, also looks tidy – 2ft SW swell at 18 seconds, gentle cross-off, and 429 combined energy. Then Monday morning the 21st is another beauty with 3ft SW swell at 17 seconds, glassy-like conditions with a slight air 3 mph cross-off, and a combined swell energy of 606 – getting into the moderate-to-strong zone. That Monday morning is a standout in the second week.

Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd get a bit onshore again, with onshore winds spoiling things. Not great.

Now, the final stretch. Saturday morning, September 26, is glassy with a light NW breeze, 4ft WNW swell at 9 seconds, and 346 combined energy – clean, fun, and well worth a dawny. Sunday morning, September 27, is even better: glassy conditions with zero wind from the WNW, 3ft swell at 10 seconds, and 313 combined energy. That’s a really clean, cruisy morning for a longboard or a small-wave board.

So, to wrap it up: Monday the 14th morning and Monday the 21st morning are the two true standouts. Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th mornings are also lovely, clean options. A bit of patience required early on, but there’s plenty to look forward to.

Rusty.

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