Morro Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s take a look at what we’ve got here. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s something to keep an eye on later.

For the first week, honestly, it’s a bit flat and messy. From Wednesday the 5th right through to Saturday the 8th, we’ve got tiny, weak swell and onshore winds. The combined energy barely gets into three digits – around 25 to 130 at best, but the wave comment is “poor surf conditions” across the board. Not worth paddling out for.

Things try to pick up a little on Sunday the 9th. Morro Rock sees a bit more size, with the swell coming from the NW at 4 ft to 4 ft, period around 10 to 11 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, so the sets will have some push, but the wait between them will be longer. The wind is light and cross-on in the morning, turning onshore in the afternoon. There’s a marginal surf forecast, but the energy climbs to 277 and 386. It’s still not a standout.

The real standout, if you can wait, is Monday the 17th of August in the afternoon through to Tuesday the 18th. On Monday afternoon, we get a jump to 7 ft from the WNW, with energy at 368. Then Tuesday morning drops a bit to 4 ft, but Tuesday afternoon has the biggest swell of the whole run: 8 ft from the WNW, short period of 7 seconds, and combined energy at 540. That’s a powerful, raw swell. However, the wind is cross-on to onshore and moderate, so it will be choppy. The wave comment stays “poor surf conditions.” That size is for experienced surfers only – over 8 ft is expert territory, and this one is right on that edge. The short period means it’ll be a bit lumpy and less organized. For paddle surfing, it’s not ideal, but for anyone with a kite, that’s where the real fun would be.

Wednesday the 19th keeps the size, with 8 ft again in the afternoon, energy at 628, but again, onshore winds. Thursday the 20th has similar energy – 586 in the afternoon with 7 ft – but still onshore.

So, the real story here is that this stretch from August 17th to 20th has the size and power, but the wind is a letdown. If you’re a solid, skilled surfer who can handle a bit of chop and big, short-period waves, Tuesday afternoon the 18th is your best shot. For clean, glassy conditions? Not this time around.

Water temp at Morro Rock is sitting at 60°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 2° cooler than average, so you’ll want a thicker suit.

Keep an eye on the forecasts, because if that wind direction swings offshore, those bigger days could clean right up.

Rusty.

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