Ocean Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next 16 days for Ocean Beach Pier. Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – this is a tough outlook. We’ve got a long stretch of marginal to poor surf ahead, and it’s going to take some patience to find a decent window.

The first bit of surf worth talking about kicks off on Thursday, July 23rd. The swell is coming from the SSW at 4 ft with a 13-second period, which is a decent groundswell, but the wind is a problem. On Thursday morning, it’s onshore, giving us a “marginal” call. The combined energy is moderate (552), but you’re fighting a light breeze that’s not doing the waves any favours. It’s not total junk, but it’s a grinder, not a standout.

The pattern from here is pretty grim. The swell sticks around in the 2 ft to 4 ft range through the end of July, but the wind is almost always cross-onshore or onshore. The period stays long (15 to 24 seconds) which at a beach-and-reef spot like Ocean Beach Pier can be tricky – those long-period swells can close out or get a bit wonky. The energy stays moderate, ranging from 461 up to 976, but the quality is just not there. The best of this bunch is probably Friday, July 24th morning, with a 2 ft SW swell and a very long 24-second period. The combined energy is strong (976). The wind is light cross-onshore, so it’s not clean, but that long period means there’s some push. Still, it’s a “marginal” call, and with it being a beach break, those long lines might break straight and sectiony. I’d call it a session for the keen, not a classic.

Saturday, July 26th and Sunday, July 27th see a bump in swell to 3 ft-4 ft, but the wind swings to the south, a moderate to fresh cross-shore. That’s going to chop it up. The energy is moderate-high (893-924), but it’s a mess. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddling one.

We hit Thursday, July 31st and the swell starts to build. The afternoon sees a 5 ft S swell with a 15-second period and light onshore wind. The energy is almost strong (998). It’s still “marginal” tide-wise, but the size is there. That’s the biggest swell of the run so far, but it’s onshore, so expect lumpy, powerful sets.

Saturday, August 1st morning is the closest thing to a standout in this whole period. We’ve got a 6 ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is onshore from the WNW at 15 km/h. The energy is strong (986). 6 ft is pushing into expert territory for a beach break, and with onshore wind, it’s going to be big and messy. Not a day for beginners, that’s for sure. The afternoon is worse, with cross-onshore wind and poor conditions.

After that, the whole thing falls apart. From Sunday, August 2nd through to the end of the forecast on Thursday, August 6th, the swell drops fast. We’re down to 1 ft to 3 ft, the period drops to 10-14 seconds, the energy is weak to moderate (151-448), and the wind is either cross-onshore or onshore. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing wild there. It’s a long, blank run of poor surf. No two ways about it.

So, the best of a bad bunch is the Thursday, July 23rd morning session for a light crowd, and the Saturday, August 1st morning for the biggest, most powerful, but messiest swell. If you’re a beginner, stay out of the water after July 31st. Long-range picture is weak, but it tends not to stay this poor forever around here. Keep an eye on the forecasts.

Rusty.

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