Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Sunday afternoon's looking like the most honest bet in this whole stretch, with clean 7.5ft WSW swell at Long Beach (Long-Beach_2). The offshore breeze is light, the sandbar's fairly consistent, and while the water's running 57.9° – a bit colder than normal for this time of year – the waves themselves should have some proper shape with that 12-second period. It's not a world-beater, but if you can only paddle out once in the next few days, this is your window. The combined energy's pumping at 1631, which is solid, and the crowd factor could be a bit of a lottery – it's often busy here, so get in early.

Monday drops off a touch – 5.9ft in the morning, 4.3ft in the afternoon, with a cross-off wind that keeps things clean but nothing special. The swell direction swings a bit, and the period holds at 11 seconds, but the energy's weaker. It's surfable, but you're hunting for corners, not barrels.

Tuesday's a tease. The swell bumps back up – 7.9ft in the morning with a 14-second period, proper groundswell – and the energy jumps to 2549. But that cross-off breeze builds to 22 mph, and the notes flag it as marginal. It's all there, but the wind's going to make it tricky. The afternoon's bigger wind (28 mph) makes it a write-off.

Wednesday's similar story – 4.6ft in the morning with a 13-second period, clean but not much on offer. The afternoon sees a shift: 6.9ft but the period drops to 8 seconds, which is short period, and the energy's still moderate. It's a bit junky, and the wind stays cross-off. Not your day.

Thursday's a hard pass. Onshore wind in the morning (4.3ft), and by the afternoon it's cross-onshore and choppy. The energy's dropping, and the window's closed.

Friday's a pale shadow – 4.3ft in the morning, 3.9ft in the afternoon, both with cross-off breezes but the energy's weak (661 and 879). You'd be scratching for ankle-biters.

Saturday's another dead one. Onshore wind all day, 4.3ft to 4.6ft, and the notes say poor. Don't even bother.

Sunday the 30th is where it starts to get interesting, but it's a mess. The swell jumps to 9.8ft in the morning with a 13-second period, and the energy's 2927. But the wind's cross-shore and it's lumpy. By the afternoon, it's hit 11.5ft with 3887 energy and the wind's cross-onshore – blown out and lumpy. This is big, but it's not clean. If you're a masochist, maybe. But it's not a surf day; it's a "watch from the car park" day.

Monday the 31st is more of the same – 9.8ft in the morning, onshore wind, poor. The afternoon drops to 7.9ft but it's still cross-onshore and choppy.

Tuesday the 1st of September starts the week with rain and onshore wind, 6.9ft in the morning, 8.2ft in the afternoon. Just bad luck.

Wednesday the 2nd – the swell shows up proper. 14.8ft in the morning with a 12-second period, energy at 8785 – that's strong. But the wind's onshore and it's raining. The afternoon is a full-on mess: 18ft with near-gale cross-onshore wind (34 mph), energy at 8933. This is not for paddle surfing. This is for watching from a safe distance, or if you've got a kite and a death wish.

Thursday the 3rd – this is the standout. The morning has 16.4ft WSW swell with a 13-second period, offshore wind, and the energy is massive at 18086. The notes say clean and it's the only day with a decent score. This is a big, serious day – way over 8ft, so it's experts only. But if you're an expert and you're game, this is the one. The afternoon drops to 13.1ft but the energy's still 4859, still clean. Thursday the 3rd is your pick of the whole 16-day window, but it's a beast.

Friday the 4th is a step down – 7.5ft and 7.2ft, cross-onshore, choppy. The energy's dropped right off.

Saturday the 5th brings another big one – 16.4ft SW with a 15-second period, which is very long period. Energy's at 11439. But the wind is cross-shore, and with that period at a sandbar, it might

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