Ocean Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, same deal in feet and miles. This 16-day stretch for Ocean Beach Pier is looking lean. The first real surf recommendation doesn’t show up until Wednesday, 12th August, and even then it’s just barely surfable.

The whole period is ruled by small, weak south-west swells. The combined wave energy numbers are all low to moderate—like 320, 288, and 249 early on—telling you there’s no grunt in the water. The water’s a weird 76°F, which is a huge 8°F above normal for this time of year, so the ocean is unseasonably warm, but that’s the only notable thing.

The first few days, from Sunday 9th through Monday 10th, are flat and poor. Swell heights are 3 ft or less. Winds are light and offshore, but there’s nothing to ride.

Wednesday, 12th August, is the first flicker of hope. The morning brings 3 ft of swell from the SW with a 16-second period. The wind is light and offshore from the W. The energy is 385—still moderate. It’s described as marginal, but it’s the cleanest you’ll see. This spot sees crowds often, so you’ll have company for those little waves.

The rest of the week is more of the same. Thursday and Friday offer 2 ft to 3 ft of swell, with energy climbing to 580, but it’s still only marginal. Winds stay mostly light and offshore, so the surface will be clean, but the waves are weak. By Saturday 15th, the swell hits 4 ft in the afternoon, but the wind swings cross-onshore from the WNW, messing up the surface.

The second week, from 16th August onward, is a rinse and repeat. Swell stays 2 ft to 3 ft, periods drop to 14-16 seconds, and cross-onshore winds become more common. Energy stays moderate, topping out around 450, but the comments are all “poor” or “marginal.” No standouts. The long-period south-west swells are too straight for this beach break—short, crumbly rides.

If you’re forcing me to pick the best of a bad run, it’s Wednesday morning, 12th August. Clean, light offshore wind, 3 ft of south-west swell with a long 16-second period. It’s not going to be pumping, but it’s the only window with a chance of a half-decent session. Given the small size and weak energy, this whole stretch looks better suited to kite surfing than paddle surfing.

That’s the long and short of it.

Rusty.

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