Morro Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s run through what’s cooking for Morro Rock in feet and knots.

First up, it’s a dry spell right off the bat. The first decent surf doesn’t show up until Sunday the 13th of September, and even that’s a so-so call. From Saturday the 5th through the 12th, it’s all poor conditions—small chop, onshore breeze, and combined energy barely scraping past 100. Nothing worth a paddle.

Sunday the 13th of September sees the first hope: a 4ft swell from the WNW with a 7-second period (moderate energy around 331). The wind is a light cross-on from the SW at 3 knots, so it’s rideable but not clean. Afternoon bumps up to 7ft from the same direction, but the wind shifts onshore from the W at 6 knots. Energy hits 609. That’s pushing into the “too big for beginners” zone, and the short period means it’ll be lumpy.

Monday the 14th keeps it going: 4ft in the morning (248 energy) and 6ft in the afternoon (442 energy), but the onshore wind from the W at 6 knots kills the quality. Poor conditions all day.

Tuesday the 15th drops back to 2ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, but the wind is onshore again. Weak energy.

Wednesday the 16th: 2ft in the morning, then a jump to 5ft from the WNW at 7 seconds in the afternoon. Onshore wind. Poor.

Thursday the 17th builds: 4ft in the morning (243 energy) then 8ft in the afternoon (568 energy). That afternoon is solid but a cross-on wind from the WNW at 9 knots keeps it messy. Only for the keen.

The standout day is Friday the 18th of September. Morning offers 6ft from the NW at 7 seconds with a light cross-on breeze from the WNW at 6 knots. Energy is a strong 768. It’s marginal—tide might mess with it—but it’s the best we’ve had. Afternoon goes to 7ft (679 energy) but stays onshore.

Saturday the 19th has a 7ft afternoon from the WNW (718 energy), but again, onshore and marginal.

The one to mark on your calendar is Sunday the 20th of September. Morning brings 3ft from the SW with a long 19-second period and a light cross-shore breeze from the SSW at 6 knots. Energy is 583. That long period will push through clean. Afternoon gets even better: 3ft from the SW, 19-second period, light cross-on from the SSW at 6 knots, and energy hitting a massive 1144. This is the only window where it all lines up—clean, glassy surface, and proper groundswell wrapping in.

Water temp is 61°F, about 1°F below average for the time of year, so nothing wild, but bring a wetsuit.

Crowds are “sometimes” at Morro Rock, so you might share the peak, but the quality on that Sunday is worth it. The optimum swell direction from the NW matches up nicely. This is the pick of the whole forecast, but it’s still 11 days out, so keep checking in.

First week is a bust. Second week has a few bigger, messier days, but Sunday the 20th is the one true gem.

Rusty.

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