Ocean Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Ocean Beach Pier.

Right now, it’s a pretty quiet stretch for the first few days. We’ve got small, weak swell coming in – around 2 ft to 2 ft from the SW, but the wind is blowing cross-onshore at 9 mph, so it’s choppy and messy. The water is sitting at 72°F, which is a touch warmer than average for August – a little noticeable, but not a big deal. The combined swell energy is weak, sitting around 328. Honestly, not worth paddling out for on Sunday the 23rd.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th stay small – waist high at best – but the wind does ease off a bit to a light breeze, and we see some onshore winds. The energy starts to build to a moderate level, with the combined energy hitting 389 and 451. Still, the wave comment says it’s poor to marginal, so it’s a waiting game.

By Wednesday the 26th, things start to change. We see a bump in swell to 4 ft from the S, with a period of 12 seconds – a touch of groundswell energy coming through. The wind stays cross-shore at a gentle 9 mph, so it’s not perfect but better. The combined energy jumps to 629, which is solid moderate. I’d call it a "maybe" session for the intermediate crew, but nothing to get excited about.

Thursday the 27th stays similar: 4 ft from the SSW with a period of 11 seconds. The wind is cross-on at 9 mph, and the energy drops a bit to 486. Still marginal, still not a standout. Friday the 28th backs off again – back to 2 ft and weak energy. A bit of a lull.

Now, Saturday the 29th shows a glimpse of hope. Swell holds at 4 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds – that’s a nice, long-period groundswell. The combined energy climbs to 656 in the morning and 774 in the afternoon, which is strong moderate. The wind is light and cross-onshore at 6 mph, so it’ll be cleanish. That long period will make it better shaped, but at a beach-and-reef setup like Ocean Beach Pier, it might break a bit too straight. Still, this is the best looking day in the first week.

Sunday the 30th turns a bit ugly: the wind swings to the S at 16 mph, making a choppy mess of the 3 ft swell. Energy is moderate at 562, but the cross-chop will be frustrating. Monday the 31st stays average – 3 ft to 4 ft, but the wind stays cross-on or cross-shore, so you might get a few, but it’s not a day to plan around.

Looking into the first week of September, Tuesday the 1st drops off again – 4 ft to 4 ft but with poor conditions and combined energy around 539. Wednesday the 2nd is tiny at 2 ft and not worth a mention. However, the real standout comes on Thursday the 3rd. The swell jumps to 3 ft from the SW, but the period is a massive 20 seconds – that’s a very long-period groundswell. Combined energy hits 911, nearly strong. Light onshore wind in the morning, then cross-onshore in the afternoon at 9 mph. Because of that super-long period, expect clean, powerful lines, but at a beach break it might be a bit too straight – best for the more experienced crew. This is the best-looking session in the whole forecast.

Friday the 4th keeps pumping: 4 ft from the SW, 17-second period, combined energy of 1011 – strong energy. Light onshore wind. Again, clean and powerful, but the long period might make it tricky on the beach. Still, this is a solid day. Saturday the 5th offers 4 ft to 5 ft from the SSW, period 16 seconds, energy up to 976 – very consistent. Light wind again, some cross-onshore. Another good session.

Sunday the 6th is still decent – 4 ft from the SSW, 14-second period, energy 1015, but the wind picks up to 9 mph cross-onshore, so a bit of chop creeps in. Monday the 7th fades back to 3 ft and weaker energy – back to the marginal stuff.

To wrap it up, the first half of the forecast is small and meh, but keep your eye on Thursday 3rd September through Saturday 5th September. That’s where the real groundswell lights up with clean light winds and strong energy. It’s not perfect for every board at a beach setup, but for the savvy surfer, those are the sessions to circle. Note that this spot is consistent and exposed, and crowds are often around, so expect company.

Rusty.

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