Huntington Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks aren’t going to set the world on fire. We’ve got a long, slow run of marginal conditions, but there’s one brief window that might get your hopes up.

For the first few days, we’re stuck in a bit of a funk. The swell is small and the wind is mostly cross-onshore, so the surf at Huntington Cliffs is looking pretty poor. On Friday the 24th, we’re looking at a tiny 2 ft swell from the SW, but with a cross-on breeze it’s just choppy and messy. The combined energy is weak (489), and honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for. This carries on through the weekend and into the start of the week. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th see a little more size – up to 3 ft – but the wind is still cross-onshore, giving us light wind ripples. The wave energy is moderate (745 and 736 respectively), but it’s a struggle to find a clean face. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.

The pattern continues through Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. Swell ticks up to 4 ft – 4 ft from the SW, with a long period around 17-18 seconds. That long period is a bit of a tease: it brings good energy (combined energy hitting 861 on Tuesday morning), but this is a beach break. That long-period groundswell is prone to closing out and breaking straight, so it’s not ideal. The cross-onshore wind still has the surface looking a little bumpy.

Then, towards the end of the month, we get a bit of a pulse. Thursday the 30th sees the swell drop in period to 14 seconds, but the energy is climbing (881 in the morning). Still, the wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s only marginal.

Now, here’s the one standout in the whole outlook. On Friday the 31st of July, we get a solid push of swell. The morning shows 6 ft from the S, with a period of 14 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 1249 (strong wave energy). The wind is light and onshore from the WSW, which is about as good as it gets for this spot. It’s still a bit onshore, but it’s light, so the surface should be reasonably clean. This is the best bet for the whole forecast period. However, at 6 ft, it’s getting a bit too big for pure beginners. The afternoon picks up to 6 ft, but the wind gets a little stronger, so stick to the morning session. It’s a relatively rare opportunity for a decent wave, but the crowds at Huntington Cliffs are often thick, so expect company.

After that, things drop off quickly. Saturday the 1st of August has 5 ft, but the period drops to 13 seconds, and the energy is lower (907). It’s still surfable, but the magic is fading. By Sunday the 2nd, we’re back to 3 ft and weak energy (304). From Monday the 3rd of August onwards, it’s a long, flat spell. The swell drops to 2 ft and below for days, with poor surf conditions and weak energy readings (under 200). The wind stays cross-onshore or onshore, and the wave state is just choppy and messy. This blank run lasts from the 3rd right through to the 8th of August, with no real options. It’s a normal quiet period for the area, so don’t hold your breath.

So, the takeaway: if you’re keen, save your energy for Friday the 31st of July morning. It’s the only session that looks like it might deliver something with a bit of punch. For the rest, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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