Fourth Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what’s on the menu at Fourth Beach over the next couple of weeks.

The pattern is a wild ride. We’re kicking off with a solid, but tricky, south swell that’s a bit too much for this spot at first, then we get a clean window mid-week before a long stretch of howling onshores shuts things down. The second week looks oversized and messy, not really for the average stick rider. You gotta pick your moments.

Monday, August 24th starts with an 8ft SSW groundswell (15-second period) at Fourth Beach. The combined energy is pumping, but that’s not good news here. A 31 mph near-gale is forecast for the afternoon, and the morning cross-on wind is already making it choppy. This is not a paddle session; honestly, with that much side-wind and power, it looks more appealing for kite surfing than a clean surfline. Water temp is 62°F, which is about average for this time of year.

We see a glimmer Tuesday the 25th. The swell drops to 5ft-6ft from the SW (12-13 seconds). The morning has a stiff 16 mph cross-offshore that will clean it up, but the real gem is Tuesday afternoon, with almost no wind. Clean conditions on a 5ft SW swell. It’s not huge, but it’s the best little window early in the week.

Wednesday, August 26th is a standout. Morning offshore winds from the NNW at 12 mph groom a 7ft SW groundswell (14 seconds), and the energy is strong. By the afternoon, the swell bumps to 8ft from the SW (15 seconds), energy spikes, and the offshore wind goes light. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Clean, lined-up, powerful waves. This is your best bet of the first week.

Thursday, August 27th the swell explodes to 12ft from the SSW with a 16-second period. The energy readings are through the roof. It’s too big for the break for most folks – big, powerful and unruly. The morning might have clean wind, but this is expert territory only. By the afternoon, a 31 mph onshore gale and rain shut it down completely.

Friday the 28th through Saturday the 29th is a write-off. Strong onshore winds from the south (19-22 mph) and messy, lumpy conditions. The swell drops, but the wind is relentless. There is a 5-day gap of poor surf here.

Sunday, August 30th the surf comes back with a vengeance. A 10ft SSW groundswell with a very long 19-second period. Morning winds are light offshore from the NNE. This is massive, clean, and powerful. It’s another one only for experts, and the long period will make for long lulls between big sets. Great for a point or reef, but at a beach, it might wall up.

The following week (starting Monday, September 1st) is inconsistent and generally less inviting. We get smaller swells (5ft to 7ft) mixed with strong winds. Tuesday the 2nd brings another pulse of 12ft, but with a short period of 10 seconds and cross-shore winds. That’s lumpy and not pretty.

The last two days of the run, September 7th and 8th, are back to massive, dangerous levels. Another 12ft-13ft SSW swell hits with 16-second periods. The combined energy is monstrous on the 7th afternoon. Wind is cross-off or cross-on, but at 13ft, Fourth Beach is just a washing machine for experts only. Not a recommended spot for a general surf.

If you have to pick, Wednesday, August 26th is the one. Clean, strong, but not out of control. The Sunday the 30th morning session is the other standout, but that’s a big-water day.

Rusty.

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