Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag coming our way down at Long Beach, so let’s break it down.

The first week kicks off with a bit of a wait. We’ve got a solid pulse of swell from the southwest pushing through, but darn it, the wind is just howling for the first few days. That big 8ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period on Wednesday afternoon is promising, but with a 25 mph wind slamming straight onshore, it’s a write-off. The energy is massive (2808), but it’s just not surfable for a paddle board.

The real juice starts to show on Thursday the 6th. The swell bumps up to 12ft from the WSW, still a long-period groundswell (13 seconds). The wind swings offshore and goes light, and that’s the ticket. The wave energy is pumping (3920), and for an experienced surfer, this is going to be excellent. The sets will be powerful but clean, with those long gaps between them making it easier to get out the back. The water is a bit colder than normal at 58°. This is the standout of the whole forecast. Friday afternoon the 7th is also a beauty: 12ft SW swell, 14-second period, and a light offshore wind. The energy is even higher (5363). It’s a perfect window for the experienced crew.

The weekend holds up nicely. Saturday the 8th is clean all day, with 10ft to 12ft SW swell, solid periods, and light wind. Perfect for a long session. Sunday the 9th brings a jump in size to 13ft, but the wind is howling again at 31-34 mph, so while the wave energy is through the roof (7295), it’s not a paddle-friendly day. That’s kite territory, not surfable.

After that, the surf drops off dramatically. Monday through to the middle of the second week is a write-off. The swell gets small, the wind is all over the place, and the wave energy plummets. We’re looking at 5ft or less, with short periods and messy wind. There’s a gap of about four days with nothing really worth mentioning.

But hold on. The 12th of August has a ripper in the afternoon. A clean 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period and light offshore wind. The energy is still good (2171). That’s a sneaky good session if you’re patient. The 18th of August is another strong contender. We’re back to 12ft SW swell with a 12-second period, light offshore winds, and excellent conditions. The energy is right up there (3038). This one is a long-range promise, so keep an eye on it, but it looks like a real cracker for those who can wait.

Overall, the best wave is Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th of August, with the 18th of August as a promising long-range target. For the rest, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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