Morro Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gather ’round, crew. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our little slice of coast, Morro Beach. I gotta be straight with you – this is one of those outlooks where patience is the name of the game. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but the ocean is in a grumpy mood for most of it. The good news? There are a couple of windows where the stars might align, but you’ll need to pick your moment carefully.

Right now, and for a good long stretch, it’s a tough scene. Starting from Sunday the 13th right through the middle of the following week, Morro Beach is serving up tiny, weak, and messy conditions. We’re looking at tiny 1 ft to 2 ft SW swells with short periods around 13 to 14 seconds – not enough grunt to push anything decent. The wind is mostly a light to gentle cross-onshore breeze, which just messes up what little texture there is. The water temperature is a notably warm 72°, a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit, but that’s the only highlight.

Things start to nudge up a little around Wednesday the 16th, with the swell building to a still-tiny 3 ft from the SSW. The combined energy climbs, hitting 369 (moderate energy) on the Wednesday morning, but the onshore wind keeps things looking marginal at best. Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th see similar energy levels – up around 394 and 409 – but the cross-onshore wind and poor surf quality labels mean it’s still a tough call. These days are best left for a paddle and a sit, not a full-on session.

Then we hit the first real standout – and it’s a glimmer, not a blaze. Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st of September show the swell staying around 3 ft from the SW, but the combined energy hits a peak of 501 on Sunday morning (strong wave energy). That’s the most juice in the water we’ve seen. The wind on Sunday afternoon swings onshore from the WSW at a light 6 mph. For Morro Beach, a reef break that’s fairly exposed to the SW, this is the most interesting moment. The 3 ft SW swell with a period of 18 seconds is carrying some long-period groundswell energy, which typically means better-shaped, more powerful waves. The light onshore wind won’t be glass, but it’s manageable. Keep in mind, with crowds listed as “often,” you won’t be alone out there.

After that little pulse, we slide into a long, flat grind. From Tuesday the 22nd all the way to the end of the outlook on Monday the 28th, the swell drops back to 2 ft to 2 ft from the SW and SSW, with periods shortening back to 12–16 seconds. The energy fades steadily, from 351 down to 217. The wind remains a persistent cross-onshore or onshore problem, with moderate breezes picking up on some afternoons, turning the surface choppy. It’s a real dull stretch. There’s no standout in this second week – just a long gap where you’re better off checking the forecasts again or doing a wax job.

So, overall, it’s not a classic spell. The best bet is the Sunday/Monday window on the 20th and 21st of September, when the 3 ft SW groundswell (18-second period) delivers moderate to strong energy (501) and light wind. That’s your only real shout for a worthwhile session. Most of the rest is a waiting game. The swell never gets over 3 ft, so it’s fine for beginners when the wind is good, but there’s not enough size or quality to excite anyone else. Don’t hold your breath for the second week.

Stay tuned, things can always flip.

- Rusty

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