Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming in feet and knots for you.

The pattern is all over the place – some big, powerful swell early on, but the wind is going to decide whether it’s glory or garbage. The one real highlight is a morning mid-week where everything lines up for the experienced crowd. After that, it fades into small, clean conditions that are more about enjoying the water than charging.

Right now, Monday the 17th, it’s a write-off. A solid 10ft SSE swell is pumping with 2191 energy, but that southerly wind at 18 knots is making a cross-shore mess at Ocean Beach. The water’s a bit colder than normal at 52°, about 3° off the average for the time of year. Not worth paddling out.

Tuesday the 18th morning cleans up with a cross-off wind, but the swell is still a heavy 8ft from the SSW. Tuesday afternoon gets serious – a 13ft S swell with 2755 energy and a strong breeze. This is big, powerful surf. Only for the experts. Wednesday the 19th is similar – a 15ft and then 12ft S swell with moderate wind keeping the face clean. The energy is massive (4661 and 3757). Not a beginner’s day.

Now, Thursday the 20th morning is the standout. The swell has dropped to a nice 8ft from the SSW, but the period is a very long 13 seconds – proper groundswell. Wind is glassy offshore from the west at only 6 knots. Combined energy is still strong at 3081. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The long period will give you better-shaped waves and longer lulls, but at a beach-and-reef like this, those long-period swells can break straight. Pick your bank and you’re in for a treat.

Friday the 21st morning is smaller – 4ft from the S, period still a good 11 seconds, and a light cross-off breeze – clean and fun. Energy is 843. Friday afternoon has a 5ft S swell with a very long 16-second period, but a cross-on breeze from the NE chops it up a little. Energy is 1214.

Then comes the drop. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd see the swell fall below 3ft, and the energy drops right off – 274 on Saturday and just 82 on Sunday. There’s clean conditions, but it’s tiny. That quiet spell runs through the middle of next week. Monday the 24th has a tiny 1ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and weak 119 energy. Not worth it.

Tuesday the 25th morning picks up slightly – a 3ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and light NNW wind – clean, but energy is only 388. Ordinary. By Wednesday the 26th, a new 7ft S swell arrives with a 14-second period, but the northerly wind is up to 18 knots and cross-shore – lumpy and tough. Energy is 1798.

The rest of the forecast into September is a mix of onshore wind and fading swell, with energy mostly under 1000. Sunday the 30th morning is a final glimmer – a 5ft S swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions with a light westerly. Clean. But energy is only 566, and it fades quick. After that, it’s small and poor into September.

That Thursday morning the 20th is your window – don’t sleep on it if you’ve got the skills.

Rusty.

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