Huntington Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down Huntington Beach for the next couple of weeks. Got to be honest—it’s a slow start. For the first ten days or so, there’s hardly anything to get excited about. The water is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least it’s not freezing, but the waves? They’re just not showing up.

We start on Friday afternoon, August 14th, with a weak 2ft SSW groundswell, period a very long 18 seconds, but the wind is onshore from the WSW at 9 mph and the combined wave energy is weak (487). The report says it all: poor surf conditions. That sets the tone for the next week. Saturday the 15th is marginal at best, with the same onshore breeze ruining a 3ft to 3ft SSW swell. Sunday the 16th through to Friday the 21st is a write-off—poor conditions, choppy surf, and tiny bumps. The only glimmer in this first week is a few marginal early mornings, like Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th, where the wind drops to a slight air or light breeze, but the swell is only 2ft to 3ft and the energy is weak. Not worth paddling out for.

Then we hit a real lull. From about Saturday the 22nd through Monday the 24th, the swell drops to a pathetic 1ft to 2ft. Mixed directions, weak energy (as low as 133), and still onshore or cross-onshore winds. Surfing is off the table.

But hold on—there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it comes in the second week. The standout window is Tuesday, August 25th. The morning shows a jump to 5ft SSE swell (1119 energy), and by the afternoon it’s up to 6ft from the south, with a very strong energy reading of 1405. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore at 9 mph, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but this is the biggest pulse of the whole forecast. It’s a bit too big for beginners, but for the intermediates and up, this is your best shot. The swell direction (S) isn’t a perfect match for the optimum WSW for the break, but the power and size make it the top pick.

Wednesday, August 26th follows up solid with 5ft S swell, light onshore morning winds, and still strong energy (1057). Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th hold at 4ft to 5ft, mostly clean with light winds. Even Saturday the 29th, you’ll find 3ft SSW swell and long 18-second periods, with light cross-onshore bumps. Honestly, that Tuesday and Wednesday are the true standouts. For the rest of the second week, it’s marginal but rideable—just don’t expect perfection. The crowds at Huntington are often there, so expect company on those better days.

For now, hang tight through the dry spell. The end of the forecast period is where the juice is.

- Rusty

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