Corona Del Mar Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s on the menu for our local stretch. Let's be straight up: the next couple of weeks aren't going to have us shouting from the rooftops. We’re looking at a long, drawn-out period of small, weak, and mostly messy conditions at Corona Del Mar Jetty.

The water is sitting at a warm 73°, which is a solid 6° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, and it’ll feel more like a summer bath than a fall ocean.

We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The first few days, from Monday the 14th right through to Wednesday the 16th, are a write-off. The swell is tiny, around 1ft to 3ft, and while the period is long – 16 to 20 seconds – the combined wave energy is weak to moderate (200 to 374). On top of that, the wind is blowing onshore or cross-onshore for most of those sessions, so it’s just not worth paddling out. The wave comment says it all: "poor surf conditions."

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th see a slight shift. The swell bumps up just a touch, still around 2ft to 2ft from the SSW/SW with a long 15 to 19 second period. The combined energy stays moderate (269 to 369). We get a few windows with lighter, cross-shore breezes, which clean it up a bit. The forecast nudges up to "marginal." You might find a few crumbly little lines, but honestly, it’s still a struggle for a decent wave. Saturday the 19th is more of the same.

Sunday the 20th is the best bet in this whole outlook, and that’s saying something. The morning is a bit meh, but by the afternoon, we see the combined swell energy jump to a moderate 556. The swell is 3ft from the SW at 18 seconds. The wind is a light cross-onshore, which is okay. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that Sunday afternoon window is the one to aim for. The rest of the following week into late September is more of the same story: small, weak swell in the 2ft to 3ft range, mostly cross-shore winds keeping it rideable but unremarkable.

Look, if you’re a beginner, the size is fine, but the quality is just not there. For anyone with a kite, this setup with the weak swell and side-shore breeze might actually be more interesting than trying to get a surfboard wave. For the rest of us, it’s a waiting game.

Stay patient.

Rusty.

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