Coos Bay Bastendorf Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a grim stretch for Coos Bay Bastendorf Beach (United States). We’re lookin’ at a long, dry spell with pretty much nothin’ worth paddlin’ out for. The first recommendation doesn’t even show up until the 17th of August, so that’s a solid 11 days of flat, messy, or just plain ugly conditions. The water’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sittin’ around 55°F, which is about 3°F below average, so you’ll feel that nip in the air.

The whole first week is a write-off. From Thursday the 6th all the way through to Saturday the 15th, we’ve got a constant cross-onshore wind, mostly from the N or NNW, blowin’ at 9 to 19 mph. The swell is tiny, weak, and short-period – mostly around 3 ft to 6 ft from the NNW with periods of 6 to 8 seconds. The combined wave energy is low to moderate, never breakin’ 400 (225-419). The surf is just poor, choppy, and lumpy. Not worth your time. And on the 15th, we do get a little 4 ft from the NW with an onshore wind, but it’s still a “poor surf conditions” call.

The 16th of August (Sunday) is a little tease – a long-period 16-second swell from the SW at 1 ft to 2 ft, with light cross and onshore breezes. The energy is moderate (195-213), but it’s just not enough height to do anything with. Still, a no-go.

Now, finally, on the 17th of August (Monday morning), we get our first real glimmer. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, with a 1 ft, 14-second groundswell from the SW. The energy is weak (134), but it’s glassy. The call is “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s a 1/10, but it’s the first thing we’ve had. This is a beginner’s wave, but it’s gonna be tiny and inconsistent. Don’t get your hopes up.

Then the 18th of August (Tuesday morning) is actually the standout of the whole outlook. We’ve got glassy conditions again, a 3 ft, 14-second groundswell from the W, and the combined energy jumps to a solid 355. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” For this beach, that’s as good as it gets in this window. The swell is still small, but that long period will give it some push. The wind is dead calm, so it’ll be clean. It’s a 2/10, but honest to god, it’s the best we’ve got.

After that, it’s back to the grind. The 19th through the 21st is all cross-onshore winds again, with weak, short-period swell. The 20th and 21st have some 2 ft to 4 ft stuff, but it’s choppy and poor.

So, bottom line: if you’re desperate, the 18th of August early morning is your only real shot. It’s tiny, but glassy and clean. Otherwise, it’s a long wait for very little. This is a time to be workin’ on your board or checkin’ the forecast for a miracle. Keep your chin up, though – it never stays this poor forever.

Rusty.

Read more