Mavericks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gather 'round, folks. Rusty here. Let's be straight with you. This outlook for the next 16 days out here is about as lean as it gets. For the most part, we're looking at a whole lot of "poor surf conditions" across the board. It's a grim run, but sometimes that's the nature of the beast in this corner of the world. The good news is, forecasts can always change, so don't throw your board in the shed just yet.

Let's walk through it. Starting now, the immediate days are a total write-off. We're talking small, weak swell with messy cross-onshore winds up and down the coast. The energy in the water is just pitiful, with readings barely breaking into the low 200s to 300s, which is very weak. The wind is just ruining any chance of a clean face.

The first tiny glimmer of hope doesn't show up until Tuesday, August 25th. Even then, it's marginal at best. The only spot worth mentioning is Mavericks. Normally this place is a beast, but here it’s barely breathing. On the morning of the 25th, we get a pulse of 2 feet swell from the SW, with a long 17-second period (groundswell). The wind is light and offshore from the W, which is good. But the water is still very weak (266 energy). It’s labelled as "marginal surf." Not a standout, just the first flicker after a long, flat gap. The water temperature is about 62°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year.

After that, it gets rough again. The wind picks back up and the quality drops right off. We see another tiny window late in the forecast around Saturday, August 29th. The morning offers some 3 feet SW swell with a solid 18-second period. The wind is light and offshore from the W. The combined energy is starting to build, hitting 568, which is moderate. Still only labelled as "marginal." It’s not the kind of day to call in sick for, but if you're desperate, you might find a rare peak at Mavericks that holds together.

Then, there is one date that actually catches the eye, so listen up. Monday, August 31st, the morning session is the best on offer in the entire outlook. We get a jump in size to a solid 6 feet from the WNW, with a short 8-second period. The combined energy finally punches into the strong zone at 856. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the SSW, which isn't perfect but should be surfable. This is the most energy we've seen by a wide margin. The swell direction is a little off the optimum for a west-northwest spot like Mavericks, but 6 feet with that energy and cross-shore wind is the only real window we get. It’s still labelled "marginal" but it's easily the pick of a terrible bunch. Keep in mind, though, 6 feet out at Mavericks is still a serious wave; if you're not an expert, stay well clear. It's not for beginners.

After that, it fades back into the abyss with poor conditions right through to the end of the forecast. So, the takeaway is simple: this 16-day run is a big fat dud. Your best bet is the Monday the 31st, but even that's a long shot given the short period and imperfect wind. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because things can turn. For now, get the wetsuit fixed and wait for a proper pulse.

Rusty.

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