Huntington Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it's Rusty here. Let's get straight into the outlook for the next couple of weeks. We've got a bit of a mixed bag, so let's see what's shaking.

The first part of the forecast period is a bit of a slow grind. We see some small swell hanging around, but the wind and conditions are all over the place. The highlight for the whole run, and the one you want to circle on your calendar, is a morning session on Thursday the 3rd of September at Huntington Beach. That morning we're looking at a solid 6ft swell from the SSW with moderate energy (1031), and with only a light cross-onshore breeze, it should be pretty clean. This is a standout for the period – biggest wave height we see, and decent conditions for a mid-week paddle. The water temp is sitting at a very unusual 73°F , a massive 7°F warmer than average for this time of year, so you'll be comfortable in a spring suit, maybe even trunks.

Before that, the days are a bit of a struggle. From Thursday 27th August through to the end of the month, the swell is small, mostly around the 2ft to 4ft mark, and the wind is either cross-on or onshore. It's not flat, but it's marginal at best. The water's warm, but the wave quality is just not there. There's a gap of a few days where the scores are real low, so you might as well take a break.

Moving into Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell sticks around the 3ft to 4ft range from the S and SSW, but the winds are a problem. It's still light on the mornings, but by the afternoons it gets choppy. Consistency is decent, but you're working for anything decent.

Now, the real interesting one is Thursday the 3rd of September morning. That 6ft swell from the SSW with a 13-second period is a nice, solid groundswell. The energy is strong at 1031. With only a 5 mph wind, it's nearly glassy. This is the best bet for a proper session. It's a bit punchy, so intermediate to advanced surfers will have the most fun. Crowds are often an issue at Huntington, so expect some company, but it'll be worth it for those clean lines.

After that, the swell backs off again. Friday the 4th of September has a 3ft swell from the SSW with a long 17-second period (629 energy). It's clean in the morning with light offshore wind, but the swell is small. It'll be better for a log or a fish.

Then from Saturday 5th September through to the end of the run, the swell stays small and inconsistent, mostly 2ft to 3ft from the SW. The wind is a real issue, with cross-onshore and onshore breezes ruining the shape. There's one standout morning on Monday 7th September with glassy conditions and a 3ft SSW swell (291 energy). It's tiny, but if you're desperate for a glassy session, that's your window. After that, it's back to choppy, poor surf. The last week is pretty weak, with energy dropping into the 200s and 300s, and windy afternoons. Not much to get excited about.

So, bottom line: if you can, get out on Thursday 3rd September morning for the best waves of the outlook. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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