Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a 16-day window for Californias, and I gotta be honest with you – it’s a real mixed bag, and for the most part, it’s been a tough stretch. The water’s sitting at a warm 83°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The outlook kicks off on Monday, the 31st of August, but don’t get your hopes up. We’re looking at a tiny 0.7ft swell from the ENE, with a period of 11 seconds. The energy is weak (12), and while the wind is offshore, the waves are just too small to do anything with. It’s a flat start.

Tuesday, the 1st of September, is a bit of a tease. The morning is still flat with a 0.3ft swell, but by the afternoon, things change. We get a jump to 6ft from the east, but the period drops to a short 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (606), but it’s all wrapped up in a risk of thunderstorms and the wind is cross-offshore. The problem is, the quality is just poor. It’s the kind of day where the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, to be honest.

Wednesday the 2nd keeps that same energy, with 5ft to 6ft from the east, but it’s still messy with the same cross-off wind and storm risk. The wave energy is still there (460-401), but the conditions are ordinary.

Things start to look a little more surfable on Thursday the 3rd in the morning. The swell drops to 4ft from the east, with a 10-second period and the energy is still moderate (261). The wind is light and cross-offshore, so the surf is clean. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. The afternoon turns a bit ugly with a cross-on wind.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are a write-off. The swell drops and turns short-period (7 seconds) with weak energy. Saturday afternoon sees a bit of a pulse from the north, 4ft at 10 seconds, with clean cross-off winds, but it’s still marginal.

Sunday the 6th is more of the same – small and clean. Monday the 7th afternoon brings a bit of excitement with a 6ft east swell, but the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is offshore. The energy is moderate (241), but the quality is just ordinary.

Now, if you’re looking for a real standout, you have to look at the second week. Wednesday the 9th, in the morning, we get a clean 3ft swell from the ENE, but the period is a very long 12 seconds. The energy is moderate (290). This is groundswell. At a reef break like Californias, that long period is a good thing. It’s clean, but it’s a small wave. The best bet for something with a bit more punch is Tuesday the 8th in the morning. We’ve got 5ft from the ENE, with a short 6-second period, but the wind is offshore and clean. The energy is moderate (202). It’s not perfect, but it’s the most consistent wave we see in the whole window.

Thursday the 10th morning is another option with 4ft from the north and clean offshore wind, but the wind picks up strong in the afternoon. The rest of the week is mostly small and messy with strong winds.

So, honestly, there’s no classic, perfect day in this 16-day run. The best on offer is Tuesday the 8th of September in the morning at Californias. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s the biggest, cleanest wave we get. The swell is 5ft from the ENE, with offshore wind. For a reef break, the short period means it won’t be the most lined-up, but it’s the most consistent and cleanest option we’ve got. Expect crowds to be likely, because it’s the only game in town.

Rusty.

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