Huntington Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, looking at what’s coming down the line for our local stretch. Let’s be straight with each other – this forecast is a bit of a flat spell for the most part. We’ve got a long, slow grind of small, weak energy, and the wind is mostly working against us. It’s not a total washout, but you’ll have to pick your moments.

The first real chance to get wet kicks off Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, but honestly, it’s a tough start. Huntington Pier is seeing a tiny 2ft SSW swell with a short period of 14 seconds, and the combined swell energy is a weak 358. The water is a balmy 71°, which is a whopping 5° warmer than usual – that’s very unusual for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick wetsuit. But the wind is a messy onshore breeze from the WSW at 9 mph, killing any chance of a clean wave. The conditions are just poor.

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th don’t offer much relief. We’re looking at waist-high, 2ft to 3ft swells from the SW, with periods hanging around 21 to 24 seconds. That long period sounds good, but at this size, it’s a tease. The energy is moderate (hitting 740-745), but the wind is a frustrating cross-onshore from the S or SSW at 6-9 mph, keeping things choppy and bumpy. Looks like a marginal, questionable tide situation.

The pattern continues right through the end of July and into early August. Every morning brings a light breeze, but it’s from the S or SSW, which is a cross-onshore direction. The swell stays small, mostly under 4ft, with periods dropping from the high teens down to the low teens. The combined energy stays in the moderate range (600-900), but the quality just isn’t there. There’s a brief bump on the morning of Friday, July 31st, with a 5ft SSE swell, period of 14 seconds, and energy hitting 1069. That’s the biggest push of the whole period, and the wind is light and offshore from the SW. This is the one true standout. It’s still a short-period swell, so the waves will be a bit sectiony, but on a light offshore morning, Huntington Pier could offer some fun, clean waist-to-chest-high lines. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but with crowds being “often,” expect company.

After that, it’s a slow fade. The first week of August is grim. From Saturday, August 1st, through to the end of the forecast on Friday, August 7th, the swell drops into the 1ft to 3ft range. The combined energy plummets to weak, two-digit and low three-digit numbers (102 to 421). The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, churning up any tiny bump into a choppy mess. The surf is poor, and honestly, it’s looking more like a kiteboarding session than a pure paddle-surf gig. The setup is a beach break, so with the onshore wind and insignificant swell, the waves are just not going to hold up.

So, to sum it up: there’s a 16-day window, but it’s mostly a long, flat, choppy stretch. The only flicker of light is the morning of Friday, July 31st, with that 5ft SSE swell and light offshore wind. That’s your best bet. Otherwise, save your wax and wait for a better forecast.

Rusty.

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