Columbia St Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right folks, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – this stretch we’re looking at for Columbia St is a tough one. Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak run of surf. The weather’s not playing ball, the wind’s mostly junk, and the waves are, well, pretty weak. But let’s break it down so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.

Starting right now through the next week or so, it’s almost all poor. Tuesday morning the 14th has the most wave energy we see for a while, at 3 feet from the east with a short 6-second period and only 91 (moderate energy). But that’s paired with a cross-shore wind and a risk of thunderstorms, so it’s bumpy and messy. That’s the highlight, if you can call it that. The rest of the week into the 20th is tiny – think 0.7 feet to 1 feet – with cross-onshore winds and energy so low it barely registers. There’s even a few days, Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th, where there's no swell at all.

Midweek of the 23rd, we see a slight bump. Thursday afternoon the 23rd has the swell lifting to 3 feet from the south with a 6-second period and energy hitting 115 (moderate). But the wind is a moderate cross-onshore, so expect chop. That pattern of S/SSW swell hanging around the 3 feet mark, with moderate cross or cross-onshore winds, carries on through the 26th. The energy climbs into the 100-124 range, but it’s always described as “poor surf conditions.”

The final few days, from the 27th to the 29th, offer the most interesting conditions. Monday morning the 27th has 3 feet from the ESE with a longer 9-second period and 153 (moderate energy) – that’s the most energy we’ll see. It’s still cross-onshore and a bit choppy, but the longer period means more push. And then on Wednesday morning the 29th, we finally get a clean session with a light cross-offshore wind and 1 feet from the ESE.

Given that Columbia St is a sandbar break that’s consistent and fairly exposed to the swell, the problem here is the wind and the lack of a proper swell window. The optimum swell direction is from the NE, but we’re seeing mostly S and SE swells – a poor match. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. For the quality on offer, it’s a pass for most days. Honestly, with the consistent cross and onshore winds and small, weak swell over the first week, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

This is a long stretch of nothing, but don’t lose all hope. The last couple of days show a glimmer, particularly the 27th, and that clean morning on the 29th is the only true standout – a small window for a quiet, clean wave. Just don’t expect much else.

Rusty.

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