Moss Landing Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same stretch but in feet and miles per hour, as we do.

The first surfable moment doesn’t pop up until Thursday, July 16th, so that’s a solid 8-day gap with no real recommendations. The first week is a total washout. From Tuesday, July 7th through Wednesday, July 15th, it’s all poor surf conditions. Wind is cross-onshore, and the swell is short-period (8-9 seconds), with weak to moderate energy. It’s gonna be choppy and ugly.

The first marginal call is Thursday, July 16th, early morning. Swell is 4ft from the WNW, 9-second period, and the combined energy hits 520 (moderate). The wind is a light breeze from the WSW, so it’s light cross-onshore – not clean, but it’s not a gale. The water temp is a very notable 62°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might be able to ditch the booties.

Friday, July 17th, morning, the swell holds at 5ft from the WNW, 9 seconds, with energy up to 709 (strong). The wind is light from the west, but still cross-onshore. Another marginal recommendation. The afternoon is worse.

The real standout is Saturday, July 18th. The swell drops to just 2ft, but the period shoots up to a very long 18 seconds, coming from the SW. This is pure groundswell. The energy is still strong at 693. The wind in the morning is light from the west, offshore (onshore), but the afternoon is a light cross-shore from the SW. For Moss Landing, that long-period groundswell is a dream. The waves will be small, but clean, lined up, and glassy. You’ll get long waits between sets, but the quality will be there. It’s an advanced spot, so you’ll need to know what you’re doing.

Sunday, July 19th, morning, holds a similar 2ft SW groundswell (17 seconds, 580 energy), but the wind is light cross-onshore, so it’s not as clean.

That Saturday, July 18th afternoon is your best shot. Crowds are “sometimes” at Moss Landing, so you might score it quiet. It’s very consistent, fairly exposed to the NW, but this SW groundswell will wrap in nicely. For the experienced surfer, that’s the session to chase.

In the second week, the swell builds back to 5ft from the WNW by Wednesday, July 22nd, with a 10-second period (energy 461-471), but the wind stays cross-onshore. It’s bigger, but blown out. Not a stand-out.

So, the first week is a bust. The only true standout is Saturday, July 18th, afternoon. Small, glassy, and full of potential from that long-period groundswell. That’s the one.

Rusty.

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