Huntington Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Alright mate, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Huntington Beach over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – this forecast is a tough one. We’ve got a long stretch of pretty average conditions ahead, so you’ll need to keep your expectations in check.

The overall pattern shows small, weak swell with persistent onshore to cross-onshore winds, which is going to keep the surface messy for most of the period. The wave energy is mostly weak, with combined swell energy values in the low to mid hundreds – basically, not much grunt behind the waves. The water temp is sitting at 74°, which is a massive 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.

The first real chance to get wet doesn’t show up until Saturday the 8th of August, and even then it’s marginal. You’ll see a little SSW swell around 2 ft, but the period is long – 16 to 17 seconds – which means groundswell. That long gap between sets will help with the paddle out, but at a beach break like this, long-period swell tends to close out or run straight. The wind is light from the WSW in the morning, which could give you a clean window, but come afternoon it swings cross-onshore and gets choppy. Not a standout, but if you’re desperate, the early session Saturday might offer a couple of knee-high walls.

Sunday the 9th of August is much the same – 3 ft to 3 ft SSW groundswell at 15 seconds, with light cross-onshore breezes again messing up the surface. The combined energy jumps to 320, so there’s a bit more push, but the quality is poor. This isn’t the day to call in sick for.

As we roll into the second week, the swell tries to pick up around Friday the 14th of August. You’ll see the best size of the whole outlook – 3 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 19 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 548, which signals moderate energy at last. The wind is light offshore from the WSW in the morning, meaning clean, glassy conditions. This is your one true standout for the whole forecast. It’s still small, but that long period and light wind will make for some fun, lined-up waves if you’ve got a log or a mid-length. The crowds at Huntington are often there, so expect company.

After that, Saturday the 15th of August shows a similar size of 3 ft to 3 ft, but the wind picks up to a moderate cross-onshore from the WSW at 12 mph, chopping it up badly. The rest of the second week drops off again into poor, tiny surf with light but messy cross-onshore winds. No other true standouts to speak of.

So in short, if you’re looking for a paddle, focus on the morning of Friday the 14th of August – it’s the only real highlight in a pretty flat and windy run. Otherwise, expect small, weak, and choppy surf with not much on offer. Forecasts can always change, so keep an eye on it, but right now, don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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