Newport-South Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Newport-South Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, I’ve got to be straight with you – this forecast is a long, drawn-out stretch of nothing to write home about. We’re looking at a two-week run of poor surf, with only a few moments that might get a shrug of approval. The water is sitting at 55°F (a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so don't be shy with the rubber), and the swell is mostly short-period, choppy, and cross-onshore.

The first real whisper of something surfable doesn't pop up until the 14th of August, and even then it’s just messy. Thursday the 14th sees a bump in swell to 5 ft to 5 ft from the NW, with a period of 8 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore so it’s gonna be lumpy. The combined energy sits at 385 to 439 (moderate energy), but it’s not the kind of wave that’ll have you ringing in sick.

The 15th keeps the NW swell going at 4 ft in the morning, but again, cross-onshore wind kills the vibe. By Saturday afternoon, the swell drops right off.

Now, the one shining light in this whole outlook rolls in on Tuesday the 18th of August. We’ve got a glassy morning with barely a breath of wind – “SSE 5 km/h” (about 3 mph) – and the swell switches to a long-period 14 seconds from the W. The wave height is only 3 ft, but the combined energy jumps to 509 (solid moderate energy). That’s the best of the bunch. The conditions are glassy, which is a major positive, and the longer period means the waves will have a bit more shape. This is a point break, so that long-period groundswell will set up nicely. If you can get out on that Tuesday morning, you’ll be smiling. It’s not big, but it’s clean. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get in early.

Other than that, you’re looking at mostly tiny, short-period windswell, or long-period swells that are too small to do anything with. The afternoon of the 17th has a 2 ft, 14-second swell from the SW with light offshore from the W – that’s another marginal one, but not as good as the 18th.

So, bottom line: most of this 16-day window is a write-off. The standout is definitely Tuesday the 18th of August, early. Everything else is a “maybe” at best. Conditions are pretty flat for a stretch, so don't be surprised if you see the beach empty.

Rusty.

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