Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.

Monday morning, August 17th, is a total washout. There’s a 10-foot WSW swell, but it’s onshore with a N wind blowing 12 mph, cloudy skies, and the energy is huge (2714). The water’s 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll want a thicker wetsuit.

The real deal starts Monday afternoon. The wind swings WSW and drops to 6 mph, the rain clears, and Long Beach lights up. The swell drops to a still-pumping 8 feet from the WSW, period a solid 13 seconds, and the wind is cross-off. That’s clean. The energy is still heavy (2630), and it’s marked as excellent for experienced surfers. Over 8 feet, so this is for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Tuesday morning, August 18th, keeps it going. 7 feet from the WSW, 12-second period, cross-off from the SSE. Clean lines. The energy is still strong (2062). Tuesday afternoon bumps up to 10 feet, but the wind picks up to 12 mph, making it a bit more of a handful.

Wednesday morning, August 19th, is a standout. The wind turns offshore from the S at 9 mph, the swell is a solid 8 feet from the SW, and the period is 12 seconds. The energy is high (1978). It’s going to be glassy from the offshore flow, and the surf is expected to be very good. This is the best morning of the first week.

Thursday, August 20th, the swell jumps to 12 feet in the morning, but the SSE wind is cross-off and moderate. The energy is cranked up to 3727. It’s big and punchy – expert territory only. The afternoon stays big but a bit messier with stronger wind.

Friday, August 21st, the swell eases. Morning is 7 feet, cross-off, marginal. The afternoon is the highlight: 5 feet with a moderate offshore from the S. The energy drops to 942, but it’s clean and offshore. A good end-of-week session.

Saturday, August 22nd, is a classic. Morning is glassy – wind from the S at just 3 mph, 8 feet of SW swell, 11-second period. That’s as clean as it gets. The energy is 1375. The afternoon turns offshore from the SSW, with the swell back up to 8 feet and 12 seconds. Two excellent windows in one day. This is your weekend winner.

Sunday, August 23rd, holds offshore winds all day, with the swell easing from 7 feet to 6 feet, both from the WSW. Clean, consistent, and good for a long session.

Monday, August 24th, the morning is small but clean – 5 feet, light offshore from the SSW. The afternoon picks up to 7 feet with a longer 14-second period, but the wind is cross-off. Still worth a paddle.

Tuesday, August 25th, the swell jumps back to 10 feet, but the wind is cross-off and builds to 19 mph in the afternoon. Big and bumpy. Only for the strong.

Wednesday, August 26th, morning is glassy again – NW wind at 3 mph, 8 feet of SW swell. A hidden gem mid-week.

Thursday, August 27th, starts small at 5 feet with a gentle offshore, then builds to 6 feet in the afternoon. Good but not great.

Friday, August 28th, the morning is cross-off and a bit messy, but the afternoon turns offshore from the S, with a clean 8 feet of WSW swell. A solid session.

Saturday, August 29th, is offshore all day. Morning 8 feet, afternoon 6 feet. Consistent, clean, and mellow enough.

Sunday, August 30th, is the true standout. Morning delivers a 10-foot SW swell with a gentle offshore from the S. The energy rockets to 5684. That’s a massive, powerful groundswell with a 12-second period. It’s marked as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a big, clean, powerful day. The afternoon stays big at 12 feet but the wind picks up cross-off.

Monday, August 31st, is still huge – 12 feet from the SSW in the morning, 14-second period. The energy is 4449. Afternoon is 10 feet, but the wind is up to 19 mph. Big and challenging.

Tuesday, September 1st, the swell finally drops. Morning is glassy, 6 feet from the SSW, energy down to 938. A nice, clean, small morning to finish the run.

Long Beach is a sandbar, and it’s fairly consistent. Expect crowds at times. The optimum swell direction is SW, and that’s exactly what we’re getting. The standouts are Wednesday morning, August 19th, Saturday August 22nd, and that big Sunday August 30th morning. If you can only pick one, make it Sunday the 30th – that’s a proper groundswell event.

Rusty.

Read more