Fourth Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Fourth Beach.

We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The water temp is right around 62°, which is dead on average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the thickest rubber just yet.

The first real action kicks off Wednesday morning, August 5th. Swell is 7 ft from the SW, with a deep 16-second period pushing serious energy (2201). Winds are light cross-off out of the NW, which should keep things clean. This is an advanced wave – over that 5 ft mark, so not for the learners. That long period means the sets will have plenty of push and shape, but expect gaps between them. This one’s worth an early paddle.

Thursday morning, August 6th, is the real standout. Swell holds at 10 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and combined energy is pumping (4176). Winds are offshore out of the N at 12 mph, giving you that clean, lined-up look. This is expert territory – 10 ft is solid, and the offshore wind will make for some memorable rides. If you’ve got the skill and the board, be there.

Friday afternoon, August 7th, offers a glassy moment. Swell drops to 8 ft from the SSW, period still a solid 15 seconds. Winds go dead calm – glass. That’s a rare treat, so if the tide lines up, it’ll be as clean as it gets.

Now, from Saturday the 8th through nearly the end of the second week, things get rowdy. Saturday morning kicks off with 15 ft swell and a short, choppy 10-second period, with a 31 mph crosswind. That’s a washing machine. Not for paddling. Sunday and Monday only get bigger – 16 ft to 20 ft – with strong winds and crossed-up conditions. This is kite-surf territory, not surfboard country. The energy readings (19809, 16215) tell you there’s plenty of power, but the wind and size make it ugly for a paddle surfer.

That big, messy stretch runs right through until around mid-August. You’ll see periods of cleaner cross-off winds, like Thursday the 13th morning (WNW 16 mph, 13 ft, 18-second period), but at 13 ft, it’s still too large for most. Only the best-equipped crew should even consider it.

Finally, things settle around August 18th and 19th. Tuesday afternoon the 18th sees 7 ft from the SSW, 15-second period, with light cross-off winds out of the WNW. Clean, manageable conditions, though the combined energy (1860) is moderate. Wednesday the 19th drops to 6 ft and 5 ft – still cross-off, but the wind picks up a bit. These are more accessible for a broader range of surfers, but the magic of the earlier days is gone.

Best on offer: Thursday morning, August 6th. That 10 ft SW swell with 12 mph offshore N wind is the pick of the 16 days. It’s clean, powerful, and if you’re an expert, you don’t want to miss it. Friday afternoon’s glass-off is the bonus round.

Crowds? Fourth Beach can get a few heads on it – it’s listed as sometimes busy, so expect company on those clean days.

Keep an eye on the long-range stuff around the 18th and 19th – it’s promising but less certain. Forecasts can shift.

Rusty.

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