Fort Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cooking at Fort Point. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the second week is shaping up to be something special.

Right now, the water is sitting at 65°, which is a solid 6° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s pretty unusual, so you’ll be in for a warm one.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off, to be honest. Monday and Tuesday offer nothing but small, weak swell with poor conditions. The combined energy is well under 100 (94) on Monday morning, with a weak 3 ft, 7-second cross-onshore bump. Not worth paddling out for.

We start to see a shift on Wednesday the 9th. A long-period groundswell rolls in, with a 19-second period and the combined energy jumps to 197. The swell is small, only 2 ft, but the morning is glassy and clean. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon on Wednesday sees the energy spike to 320, but it’s a messy cross-shore wind. The same pattern carries through Thursday and Friday the 11th – the energy is strong (376 to 530), but the wind is just off enough to keep the waves from being clean. The swell is small, around 3 ft, but that long period keeps it from being too bad.

Saturday the 12th is a no-go. The swell jumps to 5 ft, but it’s a short-period, 8-second windswell, and the cross-shore wind is fresh and lumpy. The energy is high (563), but the quality is poor. It’s the kind of day that looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Sunday the 13th might offer a small window early. The morning is glassy, with a 4 ft, 7-second swell. The energy is moderate (293), and it’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon gets messy again.

The energy drops way down from Monday the 14th through Thursday the 17th. We’re looking at tiny 1 ft swell with moderate energy (132 to 242) and consistent cross-shore winds. There’s not much to get excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Friday the 18th morning is a standout. The combined energy is 505, with a clean 2 ft, 19-second groundswell and a light cross-offshore breeze. The conditions are clean, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” That long period will make the waves fat and lined up, perfect for a point break or reef.

Saturday the 19th is a mixed bag. The morning is glassy with a 2 ft, 18-second swell, but the energy is 275. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 7 ft, but it’s a short 6-second period with a cross-shore wind. That’s a lot of power (581), but it’s going to be a lumpy mess.

The real winner is the final weekend. Sunday the 20th morning is glassy, with a 5 ft, 8-second WNW swell. The combined energy is 588. The afternoon is even better: 6 ft, 9-second WNW with a clean cross-offshore breeze and energy hitting 752. “Expect good surf conditions” is the call.

Monday the 21st is the absolute best on offer. The morning is clean, with a 6 ft, 9-second WNW swell and a slight offshore breeze. The energy is 806. The afternoon holds at 5 ft with a 10-second period and 686 energy. Tuesday the 22nd is still good, with a 4 ft, 11-second swell and clean conditions in the morning, though the energy drops to 528.

Bottom line: The best waves are from Sunday the 20th through Tuesday the 22nd. That’s where the swell, period, and wind all line up. The crowds are listed as “often,” so expect some company. The waves will be in the 4 ft to 6 ft range, which is manageable for most, but at 6 ft, it’s getting a bit punchy for beginners. The WNW direction is the optimum for this spot, so it’ll be hitting the sandbars just right. The long period (9-11 seconds) is a classic groundswell, giving you good shape and energy.

Keep an eye on the long-range stuff – it’s promising, but not set in stone.

Rusty.

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