Joaquina Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for our local stretch. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way, but there are some windows of real potential if you play your cards right.

The overall pattern shows a couple of decent pulses of swell, but a lot of it is going to be messed up by onshore winds. The start of the period is pretty unremarkable, with small, weak, and messy conditions that aren't worth paddling out for. You’ll be waiting through a lot of average to poor days before the good stuff lines up.

Thursday, September 10th is a tease. The morning has a clean 2ft SSE swell with a 12-second period and light cross-offshore winds from the NNW. The wave energy is moderate (251), and it’s one of the better options in this early stretch, so if you’re desperate for a paddle, the morning session is your only real shot. The afternoon gets blown out by a stronger onshore breeze.

We then hit a real dry spell. Friday the 11th through Monday the 14th is a write-off. Swell is small, weak, or the winds are just terrible—mostly cross-onshore or onshore. Don't bother.

Tuesday, September 15th is our first true standout. The morning session at Joaquina looks magic. We’ve got a clean 5ft swell from the east with a 9-second period. The wave energy is strong (475) and with light WSW cross-offshore winds, it’ll be clean and lined up. This is a solid intermediate wave, but anything over 5ft can be a handful for beginners. This is the day to circle on your calendar.

The next real highlight comes Thursday, September 17th. The morning brings 4ft of SE swell with a nice 12-second period and nearly glassy conditions (N 3 mph, cross-off). Wave energy is strong at 437. The afternoon holds up well too, with 4ft and a long 13-second period under light offshore breezes. This swell has serious legs.

We get another clean window on Friday, September 18th with a smaller 3ft SSE swell and 12-second period in the morning. Light offshore winds make it clean. It’s a smaller day but a good one for a longer board.

After that, it gets messy again for the weekend of the 19th and 20th. Then, Monday, September 21st – this is a gem. Absolutely glassy conditions, zero wind, with 3ft SSE swell at 13 seconds. Wave energy is moderate at 250. Don’t be fooled by the small size; on a sandbar like Joaquina, that long period groundswell with glassy conditions will produce some sweet, clean waves.

Looking further out, Friday, September 25th shows potential. A morning clean 5ft east swell with a 9-second period and light offshore NNW winds. Wave energy is 439. It’s a promising one but still a ways out, so keep an eye on it.

The best of the best? That Tuesday morning, September 15th, with the 5ft east swell and clean conditions is the top pick for size and quality. The Thursday, September 17th morning session with the long-period 4ft swell is a close second for its shape and clean lines.

Rusty

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