Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty checkin’ in with a look at what Long Beach (sandbar) has cookin’ over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burner, but there’s a real gem waitin' for us right at the end.

First up, the water’s sittin' at 57°, which is a touch colder than we’re used to for this time of year. Not freezing, but you’ll feel that little bite.

We’ve got a solid stretch of surf on the horizon, but the early days are a real mixed bag. Sunday the 16th kicks off with a 7ft WSW swell, but that north wind is blowin’ straight on, making it a bit of a mess. The wave energy is strong though, checkin’ in at 1672. Monday the 17th pumps up to 10ft, but again that wind angle is no good – it’s cross-on and lumpy. For the first few days, the setup is just too choppy for a good paddle. We do get some cross-off winds on Tuesday the 18th, cleanin’ up a 10ft SW swell, but the quality is still just so-so. It’s a kite surfer’s dream, not so much for us.

The real turn happens mid-week. Wednesday the 19th morning, the wind swings to a light offshore from the SSE, combin’ with an 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds. The energy is solid at 1742, and it’s lookin’ clean. Then Thursday the 20th pushes that swell to 10ft with clean, cross-off winds, but it's bumpin' up into the big range – more for the experienced crew. Friday the 21st morning is the pick of the first week: a light offshore breeze from the SSE, a solid 7ft SW swell, and clean conditions. That’s a session you’d paddle out for.

The weekend of the 23rd and 24th gets a bit wild. We see a big, very long-period groundswell from the SSW on Sunday the 23rd afternoon, hittin’ 8ft with a 16-second period. The energy jumps to 5089 – that’s powerful stuff. Monday the 24th isn’t backing down, with an 12ft SW swell on the morning. This is proper big-wave territory, and with that long period, it’s going to be walled up and fast at a sandbar. Only for experts who know what they’re doin’.

Now, here’s the standout. After a few days of cleaner but still sizey conditions, we get to Tuesday the 25th afternoon. The wind goes offshore from the south, and the swell drops to a beautiful 5ft SW, but with a wild 22-second period. That is *ultra* long-period groundswell, and the energy is massive at 3358. For a point or reef, this would be heaven. At a sandbar, it might be a bit straight, but wow, the power will be there.

But the absolute best of the whole run has to be Wednesday the 26th morning. The forecast is for a glassy, dead-calm morning, a 10ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and energy at 3968. The text literally says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That is a once-in-a-forecast window. Get the big board for that one.

The very end of the run, Sunday the 30th, is a monster. A 15ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period and an energy reading of 9520 – that’s just insane power. The wind is glassy again in the morning. This is for chargers only, a big, heavy, and potentially epic day if you’ve got the nerve.

So, overall: a slow, messy start, but it builds into some very clean, powerful windows. The absolute pinnacle is the glassy morning of Wednesday the 26th with that long-period SW swell. Tuesday the 25th afternoon and that Sunday the 30th morning are also serious contenders for the experienced crew.

Rusty.

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