Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: this 16-day window for Long Beach is a tough one. The wind is a stubborn bugger, blowing cross-onshore from the east or east-northeast for the entire run, and it’s not letting up. That means the surf is going to be lumpy, choppy, and generally poor. There are no standouts, no clean windows, and no real quality to get excited about.

The first few days, starting Saturday the 11th of July, are a write-off. You’ve got a 7 ft swell from the east-northeast, but it’s short-period at 8 seconds, and that fresh cross-onshore wind is just mashing it up. The combined energy is moderate (560), but it’s ugly. This pattern locks in through the whole first week. Sunday the 12th is a little smaller at 6 ft, but the wind is still cross-on and choppy. Monday the 13th through Thursday the 16th stays in the 5 ft to 6 ft range, all with that same relentless cross-onshore breeze. It’s a full week of “poor surf conditions” – not worth paddling out for.

The second week doesn’t offer any relief. Friday the 17th has a bump to 6 ft, and Saturday the 18th sees the biggest swell of the run at 7 ft from the east, with energy climbing to 619 (moderate). But again, the wind is a fresh cross-onshore, so it’s not going to be clean. At 7 ft, this is getting into expert-only territory anyway, but with the wind ruining it, it’s a pass. The trend continues right through to Sunday the 26th of July, with swell heights between 4 ft and 7 ft, and that same cross-onshore wind. The only slight change is on the afternoon of the 26th, when the wind switches to a pure cross-shore, but it’s still lumpy cross-chop and the swell is only 4 ft.

To be honest, nothing here is a recommendation. The water temperature sits at a warm 82°, about average for the time of year, but you won’t be feeling it because you’ll be getting blown off the board. The consistent onshore flow makes this set-up look far more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. It’s a long, blank run. This kind of stubborn pattern is normal for the area, so I wouldn’t hold your breath. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d leave the board at home.

Rusty.

Read more