Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Long Beach over the next couple of weeks.

To be honest, the next week is a bit of a grind. We've got some solid lump in the water, but it's not comin' together right. The standout window is really the back end of the forecast, but it's a long way off.

Starting off the first week, from Thursday the 9th through to the weekend, we’ve got a solid 8 to 10 foot SW groundswell, but the wind is a stubborn cross-off from the SE, blowing at 19 mph. That wind is messin' with the face, making it bumpy. The combined energy is strong, around 3220, but with that wind, it's just not a clean option. The water temp is 60°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We get a bit of a respite on Sunday the 12th afternoon. The swell drops to about 4 foot from the SSW, the wind goes light at 3 mph, and it turns clean. The energy drops right down to 612, so it's small, but it'll be a fun, cruisy session on the sandbanks if you're not chasing power.

By Monday the 13th, it goes glassy in the morning with a tiny 3 foot SSW swell, and the energy is a weak 270. It's surfable, but don't expect much push. The whole next week stays pretty ordinary, with very small waves and light winds, until Wednesday the 15th afternoon.

That Wednesday afternoon is the first real spark. The wind is light cross-shore, and a long-period swell rolls in at 7 foot from the WSW with a period of 16 seconds. That's a high-energy groundswell, with a reading of 2089. It's a bit tricky because that long period can make a beach break like this close out, but if you can find a bank, the power will be there. The wind is only 6 mph, so it's worth a look.

The next couple of days, Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th, see the swell holding around 8 foot, but the wind swings cross-on and then gets crazy strong. Friday the 17th has 25-28 mph SE winds, making it a total mess for paddling, but pure wind for the kite crew.

The real heavy stuff, and the best chance, kicks off the second week. Sunday the 19th of July is a standout for the big-wave crew. We’re looking at a solid 12 foot W swell with a period of 13 seconds, and the energy is pumping at 4358. The wind is a clean cross-off from the ESE at 22 mph, and that combo will keep the faces open. This is a serious session, and with the swell over 8 feet, it's strictly for those with the nerve and the skill.

Monday the 20th holds at 8 foot from the S, still clean with cross-off wind, but it's a step down in power. Then Tuesday the 21st has another pulse at 12 foot from the SSW, but the wind goes cross-on, bringing in the chop. It's big, but it won't be as clean.

The very last day, Wednesday the 22nd afternoon, is the one to circle. The swell is a solid 7 foot from the SW, combined energy is 1969, and the wind swings offshore from the SSE at 12 mph. The report says "expect very good surf conditions." That's the cleanest window in the whole run, and it's a genuine, drivable wave. It's a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but if that forecast holds, that's the session.

After that, it gets nasty. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th see a massive 20 foot+ WNW swell, with onshore winds over 25 mph. That's a no-go zone, a washing machine only for the crazies.

So, for the best of the bunch, I'd say the Wednesday afternoon the 22nd of July is the pick for clean, quality waves. The runner-up is that Sunday the 19th for the big, clean, powerful groundswell for the experts.

Rusty, signing off.

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