Newport Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the Newport Beach stretch over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the honest truth: we’re looking at a pretty grim run of small, wind-affected surf for the majority of the forecast period. The swell is there, but it’s just not well-directed. The dominant swell direction is SSW, which is what the break likes to see, but the issue is the wind. Almost every day is plagued by onshore or cross-onshore breezes, keeping things choppy and messy. For the first six days, the forecast is a real struggle, with the combined wave energy kicking around the moderate range (around 230 to 733) but never translating into anything rideable. It’s a tough start.

The one true glimmer of hope, the only session worth circling on the calendar, is Sunday, the 6th of September. For the first time in ages, we get a break in the pattern. The morning is looking like a beauty. The wind swings light offshore from the northeast at just 6 mph, which is a major positive. The swell comes from the south at 3 ft, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy hits 676, which is a solid, moderate pulse. The break is a sheltered river mouth, so it handles that S direction well. The shape should be clean and lined up. It’s not a massive day, but clean 3 ft waves at a fairly consistent spot like this is a gem. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

After that Sunday morning window, the wind goes funky again. The afternoon swings cross-offshore, bumping the swell to 4 ft, but it’s not as clean. Monday morning on the 7th still has some marginal waist-high lumps, but the wind picks up again. Beyond that, it’s back to the same story: small, wind-battered surf and a lot of days with combined energy dropping well below 400. The last week of the forecast, from the 10th of September onward, is flat and forgettable with swell barely cracking 2 ft and poor conditions. It’s a long dry spell, about a week of essentially nothing worth paddling out for.

So, the call is simple: if you want a wave, your only real shot is the morning of Sunday, September 6th. It’s the standout.

Rusty.

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