North Torrey Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what North Torrey Pines has got cookin’ for the next couple weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it’s gonna be a flat, frustrating stretch for the most part, especially if you’re looking for something to really sink your fins into. The swells that do roll in are mostly on the small side, and the direction is just not playing ball with this spot’s optimum.

The first week is particularly grim. From Wednesday the 19th right through to about Tuesday the 25th, we’re lookin’ at persistent onshore and cross-onshore wind, with swell heights stuck between 2ft and 3ft. The period is long, sure – up to 16 seconds – but the energy is weak, never cracking 500 (the combined energy sits around 472 as a high point, then drops into the 100s and 200s). That’s just not enough oomph to push through the onshore chop. You’ll see a lot of “poor surf conditions” in the charts, and honestly, that’s the truth. Thursday the 20th through Monday the 24th, the afternoon marks all show “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions” at best, but even then, you’re looking at 2ft to 3ft with that cross-on breeze. Don’t bother.

There’s a bit of a shift later in the second week. The standout, if you can call it that, arrives around Saturday the 29th of August. The swell bumps up to 3ft to 4ft, still from the SSW (optimum is W, so it’s a bit off, but it’s the best we get), and the period stays around 16-17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy finally flickers into the moderate range: 702 on Saturday morning and 734 in the afternoon. Winds are onshore again, 6 mph to 9 mph, which will keep things a bit bumpy, but it’s light. This one’s for your more patient surfer, the one who doesn’t mind a bit of an onshore groom. It’s not epic, but it’s the best on offer. Keep your hopes in check though – this is two weeks out, so things could change.

After that, through the end of August and into September 1st, we see a weird spike of 4ft on Tuesday the 1st of September from the west, but the period plummets to 8 seconds – that’s weak, short-period windswell. The combined energy is still moderate at 448, but it’s just not gonna produce any kind of decent shape. Then it fades back into the 2ft to 3ft range for the rest of the run to the 3rd.

Honestly, if you’re itching for a paddle, aim for that Saturday the 29th window. Otherwise, save your wax and wait for a change in the pattern. It’s been a lean run, but it won’t stay poor forever. Forecasts change.

Stay patient,
Rusty

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