Number Fours Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk Number Fours in feet and miles.

The water temp here is about normal for the time of year, so no surprises.

For the next few days, we’re in a lull. From Monday the 24th of August through Wednesday the 26th, there’s swell around 5 ft to 7 ft, but it’s coming from the ENE with a short, weak period of just 7 seconds. The wind is a strong cross-offshore out of the ENE at 18-25 mph. The combined wave energy is moderate to strong (572-653), but the quality is poor—ugly, messy. Not worth the paddle.

Thursday the 27th brings a change: the swell drops to 4 ft but switches to a long-period S swell at 17 seconds, with energy up to 892. The wind is still a cross-offshore fresh breeze. This is a marginal call—the long period means better shape and energy, but at a reef break like Number Fours, those long lines can be a handful. It’s a step up, but still a "maybe." Friday the 28th fades back into the poor zone.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th, the ENE windswell returns—5 ft to 6 ft, short period, with that cross-off breeze. Combined energy sits around 537-589, marginal at best. A couple of "might be okay" moments, but nothing special.

Monday the 31st and into early September, the swell tanks. Tiny surf, around 2 ft, with a long-period SSW swell but weak energy (286-303). The wind eases to a moderate to fresh breeze, but there’s just no wave.

Now, here’s the good stuff. Tuesday the 1st of September, the ENE swell rebuilds to 5 ft to 6 ft, period stretching to 9 seconds. Energy climbs into the 800-948 range. Still cross-off winds, still marginal, but getting better. Wednesday the 2nd is the first real standout: swell hits 7 ft from the ENE, period 8 seconds, and combined energy jumps into strong territory at 1170. That’s moderate-strong energy, but at 7 ft, this is expert-only water. The wind is still a fresh cross-off, so it’ll be clean but heavy. This is the best of the first half—big, clean, and powerful.

Thursday the 3rd through Friday the 4th holds onto 6 ft to 7 ft ENE swell, period 8 seconds, energy staying moderate-strong (700-889). Marginal but rideable if you’re keen.

Then the true standout: Saturday the 5th of September. Swell hits 7 ft from the ENE, but the period jumps to a very long 13 seconds. This is a proper groundswell. Combined energy hits 1759—that’s strong to very strong. Wind is cross-off at 18-22 mph. This is a big, powerful, clean swell. At 7 ft with that period, it’s expert territory again, and on a reef like Number Fours, it’ll be mean. This is the best day of the whole outlook. Sunday the 6th holds similar energy (1383-1151) with 6 ft to 6 ft and a 12-second period—still excellent, still for experts only. Both days are clean thanks to that cross-off breeze.

After that, the swell fades fast. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th drop back to tiny 2 ft SSW swells with weak energy. The wind backs off to a gentle breeze, but there’s nothing to ride.

Bottom line: the first week is a bust. The real action picks up Wednesday the 2nd of September, but the standout days are Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th. That’s the big, long-period groundswell with clean wind. If you’re an expert, you’ll be on it. If not, give it a miss.

Rusty.

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