Moss Landing Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and get you the good oil on the coming stretch. It’s gonna be a test of patience, that’s for sure. We’ve got a long, flat spell to get through before things finally wake up.

The next week and a half are going to be a real struggle, I won’t lie. From now through the 21st, the surf is looking pretty poor. We’re seeing small, weak swells and wonky winds, so you’re better off leaving the board in the car. There is some longer-period energy from the southwest showing up on the charts from the 18th, but it’s not enough to get anything going. The combined energy is sitting in that weak-moderate range (around 286-329), and it's just not producing any decent shape. It’s the kind of lumpy, wind-affected junk that’ll have you checking your leash for no reason. We finally get some better energy from the 20th, with the combined energy jumping up into a moderate range (up to 636) but it's still messy and cross-onshore, so it stays poor.

Now, pay attention, because there’s a small window of hope around the 22nd and 23rd. Tuesday the 22nd is looking like the standout with some actual potential. The morning is looking glassy with light offshore northeast winds. There’s a chest to head-high swell filling in at 4ft, but the period is a bit short, so don't expect perfection. The energy starts to build into a strong range (359). However, on Wednesday morning, we see the wind switch to a light cross-offshore from the NE, and the swell increases in period to 11 seconds. That bump in period should give the waves at Moss Landing (Elkhorn Slough) a lot more push. The water temp is 62°F, which is a touch warmer than the usual for this time of year, so you might not need the thickest of rubber.

So, here’s the call: you gotta be patient. The 22nd and 23rd mornings are your best bets, but keep your expectations in check. Things are looking dicey after that, with mostly onshore winds and weaker surf. Also, that bigger 6ft swell on Monday the 28th is arriving with short, weak periods on an onshore flow, so that will be a messy one.

It’s not looking epic, but it’s not all doom and gloom. The ocean always has a few tricks up its sleeve, and those early starts might just surprise you. This is Moss Landing though, so it can get crowded when it's good, and it's not breaking all the time. When that morning glass hits, you need to be on it.

Stick with it, keep the faith, and I'll see you in the water when it turns on.

- Rusty

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