Huntington Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the upcoming surf for Huntington Cliffs. Let’s get real about what we’ve got on the table.

We’re starting off this Sunday, September 6th, with a bit of energy. There’s a 5ft swell rolling in from the south, and it’s carrying a 14-second period. That’s a nice, long groundswell – the kind that brings in some proper shape and power, with decent gaps between sets, so paddling out should be manageable. The wind is a light to moderate offshore from the NNE, flipping to NE in the afternoon, and that’s a big plus. The surf is clean, but we do have to talk about the water temperature. At 73°, that’s a huge 6° warmer than normal for this time of year, so it feels more like a warm bath than a typical September ocean. It’s a standout early call.

The combined wave energy is sitting at 1044, which is strong, and it backs up the quality of the day. However, even though it’s a good session for a beginner-friendly spot like Huntington Cliffs, 5ft is right on the edge of being a bit much for absolute beginners. The offshore wind will help keep it clean, but this break can get crowded often, so expect some company if you’re heading out.

By Monday morning, the swell is still around 5ft, shifting to the SSW with a 13-second period. The wind is a light cross-shore from the WNW, so it’s not as clean as the day before. The energy is still up there at 970, but the quality drops. Monday afternoon gets worse with a cross-onshore wind from the west at 12 mph, making it choppy.

From Tuesday through the rest of the week, the surf steadily drops off. By Tuesday, we’re down to 4ft with poor winds. By Wednesday, it’s under 3ft. The combined energy drops well under 1000, and conditions are consistently cross-onshore or just messy. The swell direction sticks to the SSW and SW, but the wind kills it.

The second week, from September 13th onward, is a real desert. The swell stays tiny, often under 3ft. The wind is generally cross-onshore or onshore, and the periods get erratic, even hitting 20 seconds on the 15th, but with almost no height to back it up, it’s just a long wait for a knee-high bump. There are a few mornings with marginal conditions, but nothing worth paddling out for. The combined energy is in the low hundreds, so it’s weak and not offering any real ride.

So, the bottom line: your best bet is Sunday, September 6th. Get it while it’s clean and punchy. After that, the quality drops fast and doesn’t come back in the next two weeks.

Rusty.

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