Ocean Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m gonna level with you. We’ve got a long stretch ahead here at Ocean Beach Pier, and for the first week and a half, it’s pretty grim. The water is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a full 5° above average, so you’ll be in for a warm one if you’re stubborn enough to get wet.

Right from the start on Monday, July 13th, it’s a write-off. Tiny swell, cross-onshore wind, and the wave energy is weak (301). That “poor surf conditions” tag sticks with us all the way through the end of the week. We’re looking at nothing but 2 ft to 4 ft junk, with a constant cross-shore or cross-onshore breeze messing it up. The combined energy stays under 400 for most of those days, which is just sad. There’s really nothing to recommend for at least a solid week.

The first real glimmer comes on Sunday, July 19th. The swell bumps up a bit – 3 ft from the S at 13 seconds – and the energy jumps to 722. It’s still marginal, but the wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s less of a battle. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st look similar, with some light offshore wind in the mornings, but still just 3 ft to 3 ft. It’s not good, but it’s a step up from the flatness.

The real standout, the only time I’d actually get excited, is Thursday, July 23rd, and Friday, July 24th. Finally, we get some proper swell. Thursday morning shows 5 ft from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds and a combined energy of 1124 – that’s genuine moderate energy. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’ll have a little texture, but it’s surfable. Friday morning is the peak: 6 ft from the SSW, 14 seconds, and 1213 energy. That’s the biggest swell in the whole window. It’s still a beach-and-reef setup, so with that long period (14 secs), it might be a bit straight and fat, but it’s the best we’ve got. This is for intermediate surfers – anything over 5 ft is getting a bit too much for beginners, and we’re right on that edge. Expect crowds at Ocean Beach Pier, because it’s “often” busy.

After that, it drops off again. Saturday the 25th is 4 ft, and by Sunday the 26th, we’re back to 2 ft junk. The rest of the month looks like a return to the same poor conditions with weak energy. So, if you’re keen, pencil in that Thursday the 23rd and especially Friday the 24th. It’s not perfect, but it’s the one shot we’ve got.

Rusty.

Read more