Ocean Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got the goods on what’s coming up. Let’s be honest, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty quiet for our stretch of coast. We’ve got a run of marginal conditions with only a few bright spots to get excited about, so you’ll need to pick your moments.

We’re looking at Ocean Beach Pier – a consistent beach and reef setup that’s exposed to the west. The water is sitting at 73°F right now, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 4°F above average, so leave the steamer at home. There’s a bit of a gap to start, but Tuesday morning, 25th August, kicks things off with a clean 2ft SW groundswell, period a very long 16 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 407, though the conditions are poor, with a light offshore breeze out of the west. It’s tiny and the long period means it might close out a bit on this setup, but if you’re desperate, it’s something.

Tuesday afternoon sees a bit more size at 3ft from the SSW (13-second period, 505 energy), but it’s marginal with the same light offshore. Wednesday the 26th picks up a touch, with the morning offering 4ft SSW swell (12 seconds, 718 energy) but a light cross-onshore breeze will put small ripples on it – still marginal. Wednesday afternoon is similar at 4ft from the south (12 seconds, 603 energy). Thursday the 27th drops back to 3ft SSW in the morning (433 energy) and 3ft S in the afternoon (384 energy), both with light cross-onshore winds – poor to marginal.

Now, Friday morning, 28th August, is your first real standout. It’s small – just 2ft from the SW – but that’s a very long 16-second groundswell with a glassy surface and a light offshore out of the WNW. Combined energy is moderate at 360. The waves will be clean, but at this size, it’s really only going to be fun on a longboard. Crowds are likely here though.

Saturday the 29th brings a jump in energy, with 4ft SW swell all day (16 seconds, 713-753 energy), but the winds are light offshore – kept marginal by questionable tide or surf quality. Sunday the 30th is similar, 3ft SW (555-554 energy) with gentle cross-onshore winds making it a bit choppy. From Monday 31st August all the way through to Monday 7th September, it’s a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions. Swell sizes sit between 2ft and 5ft, but winds are mostly onshore or cross-onshore, often from the WNW at 9-12 mph. The only real spike comes on Thursday afternoon, 3rd September, with 5ft SW swell at 15 seconds and a strong 1108 energy reading – but it’s still marginal with a gentle breeze and onshore flow.

If I were you, I’d pencil in Friday morning, 28th August, for a tiny glassy session. Otherwise, wait until the second week – there’s another possible window from 9th September with 3ft SW groundswell (17 seconds, 617 energy) and offshore winds, but that’s a long way out and less certain.

Stay patient. Rusty.

Read more