Johanna Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window opening up, but it’s a game of two halves. The first few days are a write-off, but then it turns on. The standout is clearly Johanna, a classic beach and point break that’s exposed and ready to go. It's very consistent, and the optimum swell direction is from the south. Water temps are about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.

The outlook kicks off on Tuesday, August 4th, but don't even bother paddling out. We’ve got rain showers and a strong cross-onshore wind at 16 mph smashing into a messy 12 ft swell from the WSW. The combined energy is a whopping 3704, but it's just ugly. Wednesday the 5th is barely better, with a 7 ft SW swell but still cross-on and choppy.

Thursday the 6th morning is the first glimpse of something cleaner. We get a 5 ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period pushing in, and a cross-off wind from the NNW. The energy is moderate (1122), and it's clean. It’s marginal, but it’s a start. The afternoon goes back to messy.

Now, Friday the 7th is where it gets interesting. The morning is a gem. An 8 ft SW swell with a 15-second period, combined energy of 4408, and a near-glass cross-off wind from the NW at just 3 mph. The report calls it excellent for experienced surfers, and that’s the truth. That’s a solid, clean lineup. The afternoon holds up with a 8 ft swell and a light cross-shore breeze.

Saturday the 8th is a ripper. Morning brings a 10 ft WSW swell with a 16-second period and a fresh offshore wind from the north at 19 mph. That’s clean, powerful, and a bit of a paddle but worth it. The afternoon stays offshore, clean, and still solid at 10 ft. This is a top-tier session for experienced surfers.

Sunday the 9th is a mix. The morning is clean with a 6 ft swell and a cross-off wind, but the energy drops to 1969. The afternoon is a disaster – 25 mph cross-onshore winds and a messy 7 ft swell. Skip it.

Then we hit the big stuff. Monday the 10th is a monster 23 ft WSW swell, but the break is too big for surfing. The energy is off the charts (17110). This is more of a spectacle than a surf session. Tuesday the 11th is still huge, 16 ft to 18 ft, but the wind is clean and cross-off from the NNW. This is expert-only territory, but the energy is massive (13016). The afternoon of the 11th is a solid 8/10, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

The swell stays oversized through the 12th and 13th, with 20 ft to 25 ft swells. The wind is up and down, but the sheer size means it’s only for the most experienced. Thursday the 13th morning has a 25 ft SW swell with a 16-second period and a clean cross-off wind. The energy is a staggering 29033. Incredible, but dangerous.

Things start to drop back into a more manageable range on Friday the 14th. A 13 ft SW swell with a 15-second period, light cross-onshore winds, and energy of 6622. It’s still big, but it’s getting there. Saturday the 15th is a real beauty. The morning has an 8 ft SW swell with a 15-second period, a cross-off wind from the north at just 3 mph, and excellent conditions. The afternoon is the absolute pick: an 8 ft SW swell, glassy conditions, and a 15-second period. That’s clean, powerful, and perfect. Energy is 3277.

Sunday the 16th is still clean with a 8 ft SW swell, and Monday the 17th starts clean but fades. Tuesday the 18th sees a new pulse of 7 ft to 12 ft WSW swell with a very long 17-18 second period, but the wind is cross-on. It’s worth a look, but not as clean as the weekend. The final day, Wednesday the 19th, finishes strong with an 8 ft SW swell, glassy conditions, and excellent surf for experienced surfers.

So, the best on offer? Without a doubt, Friday August 7th morning is the first true standout for a clean, powerful session. But the real crown jewel is Saturday August 15th afternoon. Glassy, 8 ft SW groundswell, perfect. That’s the one you circle on the calendar. The crowds at Johanna can be *often* present, so expect company for that session.

Rusty.

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