Huntington Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Huntington Cliffs has got cookin’ for us over the next couple weeks. Gotta be honest, it’s a bit of a slow burn this time. We’re looking at a pretty blank start.

The first few days are a tough watch. From Thursday the 20th right through the following week, it’s mostly small, weak, and choppy. On the 20th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW swell, but it’s cross-on wind and the energy is weak (213). That combo just doesn’t give us anything clean to work with. Friday and Saturday aren’t any better – waist-high mush with onshore wind. Not worth paddling out for.

We do see a shift starting around Sunday the 23rd. The swell period jumps way up to 19 seconds, but the height is still only 1ft. That’s a long-period groundswell, but with no size, it’s just gonna be a wash. The combined energy climbs into the moderate range (252), but the conditions are still marginal. Monday the 24th is similar – tiny but with a bit more push (329). Still, it’s not what you want to rush out for.

Tuesday the 25th through the rest of the week sees the energy building significantly, hitting 740 on Wednesday morning the 26th with a 4ft S swell. That’s moderate wave energy, and the swell size is getting there, but the wind is a persistent cross-on shore breeze, keeping things lumpy. It’s all labeled as marginal or poor. Too much chop for a good time.

Then we get to Thursday the 4th of September. Now we’re talking. That morning is the standout. The forecast shows glassy conditions with a light SSE breeze and a solid 3ft SSW swell. The period is a very long 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy hitting the Cliffs. The combined energy is strong (785). The wind is glassy – that is the magic ingredient. For a spot like Huntington Cliffs, which is exposed to a WSW optimum, this SSW swell is a nice angle, and with glass off, it’s going to be clean and lined up. This is the call for the whole period. If you can hold out, get down there Thursday morning.

Now, about the water. At this time of year, the water temp is running 69°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this part of the coast.

After that Thursday morning, the winds look like they pick up again in the afternoon, making it messier. There’s nothing else in the second week that really jumps out as a must-surf. The rest of the run is more of the same – small or marginal.

So, to wrap it up: the first week and a half is a write-off for quality. A few windows of marginal, grovelly surf from the 23rd onward, but nothing to get stoked about. The one bright spot is Thursday morning, September 4th. That glassy, long-period groundswell is your best bet by a long shot. Get on it.

Stay patient.
Rusty.

Read more