Ocean Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be real with you. I’ve stared at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a pretty grim picture for the lineup at Ocean Beach Pier. What we’ve got is a lot of small, weak, and junky surf. It’s not going to be a total flat spell, but it’s going to be a grind to find anything worth paddling out for. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions, with only a couple of brief windows that even look worth a second glance.

The first week is a write-off, plain and simple. From Monday the 10th through the following weekend, the swell is tiny, mostly under 2.5ft, and the periods are all over the place. It’s just a mess of wind swell and short-period energy. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, which will chop up whatever little bumps there are. The water is running at a notable 7.6°F above normal, which is a big deal for this time of year, but it doesn't help the surf. We're looking at clean, tiny, and weak surf. You'd be better off just going for a swim.

We do see a little pulse of energy trying to show up around Saturday the 15th, with the swell nudging up to 3.6ft. The energy readings start to climb, hitting a moderate 617 and then 706. But, the wind is going to shred it. A moderate northwesterly breeze in the afternoon is going to turn the Ocean Beach Pier lineup into a choppy mess. Not worth your time.

The following week starts to look a little more interesting, but it's still far from perfect. The energy from the west-southwest is still pretty weak, but on Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th, we see a bit more consistency, with energy readings in the 300s and 400s. The swell is still small, hovering around 2ft, but the periods are a bit longer. It's a step in the right direction but still not the kind of surf that gets you out of bed early.

Now, for the one true standout in this whole soggy period: it looks like the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd is our best shot. The swell is expected to build to a peak of 3.9ft on Saturday the 22nd, with a westerly direction. The energy readings are still in that moderate range, around 361. The period, however, is a short 8 seconds, so this isn't a clean, grinding groundswell. It’s going to be short-interval wind-swell, which tends to wall up and close out at beach breaks. Still, with the winds forecast to be lighter, it should be more surfable than anything else we've seen. The potential is there for some fun, if not world-class, waves. A 3.9ft swell with a short period is doable for intermediates, but it could be a bit much for beginners. But, given the general gloom, this is the pick of the litter. We also see a second pulse on Sunday the 23rd as the westerly swell hangs around, but the afternoon period drops again to 18 seconds, which is a long wait between sets.

That's about it. The rest of the run into the following week is more of the same: small, weak, and unappealing. The long-range stuff for the 24th and 25th is the same story, small swells with weak energy.

So, there you have it. It's a tough stretch. The forecast is a picture of small, weak surf and shifting winds. The best bet is to get a pass for next weekend, but don't set your expectations too high. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it, but as it stands, it's a waiting game.

Stay salty.

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