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.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once autumn kicks in, there’s some proper grunt coming our way. The water’s a bit colder than average for this time of year, sitting at 58°, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

First up, Friday the 28th of August. It’s a quiet opener but the morning has clean 4-foot surf from the south with a 11-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The wave energy is moderate (645). It’s not going to blow your mind but it’s surfable and tidy. The afternoon stays clean with 4-foot, but the swell swings to the west-southwest with a longer 14-second period, and the energy climbs a bit (846). Glassy conditions with that offshore wind make for a pleasant session.

Saturday the 29th sees a bump in size. The morning brings 5.6-foot from the west-southwest with a 15-second period, and a solid 1303 energy reading. The wind is cross-shore though, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. The afternoon cleans right up with a strong offshore breeze from the south, 4.6-foot, and a 14-second period, and the energy jumps to 1512. This is the pick of the early weekend – clean, powerful lines.

Sunday the 30th gets meaty. The morning has 8.2-foot from the southwest, 13-second period, and the energy is cranking at 2229. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. The afternoon stays at 8.2-foot, though the period drops to 12 seconds, and the energy is still high at 1785 with a fresh offshore. This is getting into proper size – only for experienced surfers. The setup is a beach-and-reef affair, so that long-period groundswell might be a bit too straight for the beachies, but it’ll be a sight to see.

Monday the 31st is a nice drop back to 6.6-foot in the morning from the west-southwest, 11-second period, light offshore wind, and the energy is at 1045. The score says very good conditions, and I’d agree – the sets will be clean and you’ll have no trouble getting out. The afternoon is 6.2-foot, still clean, with a gentle offshore.

Now, here’s the standout: Tuesday, the 1st of September. This is the one to circle. Morning and afternoon both hold 8.2-foot from the southwest, a lovely 13-second period, and the energy is massive – 2340 and 2180. The wind is light and cross-offshore, keeping the surface glassy. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The swell direction is straight out of the southwest, which is the optimum for this break. If you’re a confident paddle surfer, you’ll be in for a treat.

Wednesday the 2nd gets big. The morning sees 13.1-foot from the southwest, 15-second period, and the energy is a thumping 8380. That’s strong wave energy. The afternoon is 11.5-foot with 5338. But the wind is a fresh cross-offshore from the southeast, and the comment says marginal surf conditions. With that size and that period, this is strictly for the experts, and even then, it’s going to be a handful. The setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for most folks.

From Thursday the 3rd through to Sunday the 6th, it turns ugly. The wind is howling from the southeast, gale force on the 4th, and the swell is all over the place. The 4th brings 11.5-foot to 13.1-foot from the southeast with a short 8-9 second period, but the wind is severe. The energy is high (2515 to 3428), but it’s a washing machine. Kite surfers will be loving it, but for paddlers, it’s a write-off.

Monday the 7th of September is a welcome return to calm. The morning is glassy with 4-foot from the west-southwest, 13-second period, and a light energy of 558. The afternoon is clean with the same size. It’s not big, but it’s beautiful.

Tuesday the 8th is small and glassy. The morning is 3-foot, the afternoon 2.6-foot, both with light winds. It’s ordinary but you could have a laugh on a longboard.

We get another gap of poor conditions from Wednesday the 9th to Thursday the 10th, with onshore winds and tiny waves.

Then, Friday the 11th of September brings a late burst. The morning has 7.5-foot from the southwest, 12-second period, and the energy is 1530. The wind is a clean cross-offshore. The score says very good conditions. After that long run of junk, this is a real gift

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