8th Street Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this stretch is a tough one to swallow. We’ve got a 16-day window, but don’t go getting your hopes up for any kind of wave-riding bonanza. The first real flicker of something surfable doesn’t show up until Tuesday, September 1st. That’s a solid gap of over a week from the start of the forecast, with nothing but poor surf conditions and flat, weak energy day after day.

The only spot on the radar is 8th Street Jetty. It’s a beach and jetty setup, advanced only, and it’s fairly exposed to the swell. The water temperature is sitting at 78°F, which is a solid 4°F warmer than usual for this time of year—that’s a notable anomaly, so you’ll be feeling that warm bath.

Alright, let’s walk through the slim pickings. The whole first week is a write-off. From Friday, August 21st through to Monday, August 31st, we’re looking at tiny swell heights, mostly 0.7ft to 2ft, with periods all over the place but mostly short, and whatever energy is there is weak—combined swell energy values are stuck in the teens to low 30s. The winds are a mess too. Cross-on, onshore, and even some thunderstorms. No point paddling out.

Then on Tuesday, September 1st, we finally get a pulse. The morning brings a glassy start with a 3ft swell from the south, period of 6 seconds, and combined energy of 57. It’s still small and short-period, but the glassy wind is a major positive. The afternoon sees the swell bump up to 4ft from the south, still short at 6 seconds, with energy climbing to 94. The wind turns cross-off from the NNE at just 3 mph, keeping it clean. For this stretch, this is the standout. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s the only surfable window in the whole 16 days. The short period means it’ll be a bit weak and mushy, but at least you’ll be getting wet.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. From Wednesday, September 2nd, onward, we’re looking at tiny 0.9ft to 1ft swells, periods mostly under 9 seconds, and combined energy values dropping into the low teens. Winds are mostly cross-on or onshore, with some glassy mornings but no size to back it up. By Saturday, September 5th, we get a bit of a bump—3ft to 4ft—but it’s all from the south with a pathetic 4 to 5-second period, and moderate cross-onshore winds making it choppy. Not worth it.

So, if you’re desperate, circle September 1st on your calendar. Tuesday morning glassy, afternoon clean and cross-off, with the biggest swell of the whole period. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only show in town.

Rusty.

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