Morro Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. For the next 16 days, Morro Beach is looking pretty flat and frustrating. There’s a long, quiet gap right at the start with nothing worthwhile on offer for over a week. The first signs of life don’t show up until Wednesday the 16th of September, and even then it’s marginal at best.

The whole run is plagued by mostly cross-onshore or onshore winds, and the swell is tiny. There are a couple of moments where things get a little more interesting, but you’ll have to be patient. The water temp is sitting at 70°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you wait.

From the 11th right through to the 15th of September, it’s a write-off. Swell heights barely hit 3 ft, but the wind is all wrong – onshore or cross-onshore – and the wave comments are all “poor surf conditions”. The combined energy is weak, with values like 390 and 297, so there’s just no push or shape.

The first glimmer shows up on Wednesday the 16th of September, but it’s marginal. The morning sees a 3 ft SSW swell with a very long period of 18 seconds and light onshore wind. The combined energy bumps up to 376 (moderate), but the wind ruins it. That long period (over 15 seconds) means it’s groundswell, which tends to race past beach breaks and close out unless you’ve got a point or reef setup. Morro Beach is a reef, so that helps, but the onshore wind still makes it messy.

Thursday the 17th of September morning has a bit more energy at 440 (moderate), but it’s still cross-onshore and only 2 ft. That afternoon picks up a moderate breeze, making it choppy. You’re still not getting clean waves here.

The best shot in the entire outlook is Saturday the 19th of September. Saturday morning, Morro Beach has glassy conditions – that’s the big win. The wind is nearly calm, from the SW at just 3 mph, so the surface will be clean. The swell is 2 ft but from the SW with an 18-second period (long period groundswell). Combined energy is 367 (moderate). It’s not big, but for a reef break, that length of period can produce some nice, lined-up waves. The catch is the crowds are “often” at Morro Beach, so expect company. This is the standout, but it’s small. Not for beginners? Well, it’s under 5 ft so it’s fine for intermediates, but the long period might make the sets a bit more powerful than the height suggests.

Sunday the 20th of September sees a bit more size – 2 ft to 3 ft – but the wind goes onshore again, so it’s messy.

Everything after that drifts back into poor surf conditions or marginal calls. The combined energy stays between 200 and 400, but the wind never cooperates properly. The last few days, from the 24th to the 26th, even the swell period drops to 13-14 seconds and the heights fade to 1 ft to 2 ft. The best you can say is that the 26th has a light breeze, but it’s still cross-onshore.

Honestly, if you’re desperate, point your board at Morro Beach on Saturday morning the 19th of September. That’s your one real window. Otherwise, this is a long, flat spell for the area. The reef setup does help when the swell arrives, but without decent wind and a bit more height, it’s a tough wait. Keep an eye on the forecasts – it tends not to stay poor forever.

Rusty.

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