Newport Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this forecast is a bit of a tough one. We’re looking at a 16-day window for Newport Beach, and honestly, the surf just isn’t showing up. The first few days are basically a write-off with tiny, weak waves and less than ideal wind. You’d be fighting for scraps out there, and it’s just not worth the paddle.

The core problem is that we’ve got a lot of small, short-period swell hitting the beach, but the winds are mostly cross-onshore or onshore, messing up what little shape there is. There’s one day around the 14th and 15th where the energy picks up a bit, but even then, the conditions don't really align for a proper session. It’s a classic case of a river mouth that’s sheltered from the best of the swell, yet exposed to the local wind.

About the water – the first day we’re looking at a water temp of 73°F with an anomaly of 7°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a pretty big deal, so you can ditch the thick wetsuit.

Now, let’s break it down day by day. For the first week, from Thursday the 6th through to Wednesday the 12th, it’s poor. We’re talking waves between 2ft and 3ft, with periods of 13 to 19 seconds. The long period is there, which is nice, but the swell height is just too small to do anything with, especially with the wind putting a chop on it. The combined energy is weak to moderate, ranging from 116 to 330, but the forecasters are calling it poor surf conditions the whole time. You’re better off doing something else.

There’s a slight bump in the energy around the 14th and 15th of August. The combined energy jumps into the 500-600 range, and we see waves creep up to 3ft to 3ft. The period is still good, around 16-18 seconds. But again, the wind is cross-onshore, and the wave comment still says "poor surf conditions". The morning of the 16th gets a score of 1, which is the only day that isn't a zero, but it’s still looking marginal at best.

The second week, from the 17th to the 21st, is more of the same. The swell stays small, mostly 2ft to 3ft, and the winds keep shifting around. Nothing really rallies to give us a clean, rideable wave. The energy stays in the low to moderate range, never getting close to that bump we saw in the middle of the month.

So, what’s the call? Honestly, there are no good surf options in this entire 16-day stretch. It’s a blank run. Newport Beach is a "fairly consistent" spot, but this forecast is just a dud. The swell direction is mostly from the SSW, which is the optimum for the break, but there just isn't any size behind it. The lack of any real swell and the persistent onshore winds mean the setup is more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on the long-range stuff, but don't hold your breath. Forecasts can change, and it tends not to stay this poor for long, but for now, I’d be finding another hobby.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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