Flagler Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’re looking at Flagler Pier for the next couple of weeks, and I’m going to level with you: this stretch of beach is in a bit of a slumber for the bulk of the period. There’s a big, quiet gap at the start, so let’s get into it.

The first part of the outlook is a long stretch of disappointment. From Wednesday the 16th all the way through to early Monday the 28th, we’re looking at a serious dry spell. There’s a solid week and a half where the waves are mostly tiny or just plain messy. The water’s sitting at a warm 84°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, with speeds of 9 to 15 mph, and the swell energy is weak to moderate at best. For most of that time, the combined energy sits between 22 and 200 (weak to moderate energy), with swell heights barely cracking 3 ft and a short period of 4 to 7 seconds. There are a few glassy moments—like on Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd mornings with slight air—but the swell is under 2 ft. You’d be better off with a longboard and no expectations, or frankly, just skipping it.

Right when it looks like we might be heading into a total washout, things perk up in the last few days. The standout window—and the only real reason to get excited—hits around the 28th of September. Monday the 28th morning shows a jump to a 6 ft swell out of the SE, with the combined energy roaring up to 749 (strong wave energy). Now, 6 ft is getting a bit lumpy for beginners, but for the intermediate crew, that’s fun. The wind is a cross-offshore breeze at 12 mph, keeping conditions clean. That afternoon, the swell drops back a touch to 4 ft from the SE, but the wind swings to a gentle offshore out of the SSW at 9 mph, making for some genuinely clean, lined-up waves at Flagler Pier. Monday is your best bet.

Tuesday the 29th keeps the run going with a 5 ft swell from the SE and combined energy of 342-374 (moderate to strong energy). The wind is cross-off again, and by the afternoon it lightens up out of the west, staying clean. It’s not as punchy as Monday but still solid.

After that, Wednesday the 30th fades quickly—the swell drops to 2 ft, and while the wind goes glassy in the afternoon, it’s just too small to get excited about. By Thursday the 1st of October, we’re back to tiny and cross-onshore, so that’s your lot for the window.

To sum it up: Flagler Pier is a desert for the first 11 days. Hold out for Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th of September, when a proper SE groundswell arrives with clean, offshore wind. Monday morning is the biggest but a pinch rough for beginners; Monday afternoon is the sweet spot for intermediates. Come Tuesday it’s still worth a paddle. After that, it’s a wrap.

Rusty.

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