Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Ocean Beach has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

The pattern starts off pretty average and stays that way for a while, but there’s a real window of quality in the second week that’s worth circling on your calendar. The opening days are for the keen only, with a solid pulse of south-east groundswell running through Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th. We’re looking at 8ft on Friday afternoon dropping to 6ft by Saturday, all from the ESE with a cross-off wind. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good steamer. The waves are clean but the ride is messy – marginal is the word, with a combined energy over 2000 (2204) on Friday. It’s surfable but you’ll be working for it.

The big shift comes Sunday the 12th morning. That’s your first real standout. The swell drops to a much more manageable 4ft from the ESE, period at 9 seconds, and the wind goes glassy light offshore from the WSW – just a slight air. This is the cleanest, most fun surf of the early window. For a beach and reef setup like Ocean Beach, that light offshore wind makes all the difference. It’s small but absolutely perfect for logging or a mid-length. The energy is moderate (474).

After that, Monday the 13th sees the surf fade fast. We drop down to 3ft from the ESE, and though the morning is clean, it’s weak. The combined energy is down to 218. A complete lull hits Tuesday the 14th through Wednesday the 15th – we’re talking knee-high slop with periods as short as 5 seconds. Very ordinary. That slump lasts a couple of days, with barely a ripple.

Then Thursday the 16th afternoon, things get interesting. A long-period ESE groundswell shows up at 3ft but with a 17 second period and a solid offshore breeze. The energy jumps to 500. It’s not big, but that long period will wrap in beautifully. The water is cold but the conditions are clean and lined up. Friday the 17th holds a bit more size – 6ft from the ESE with a 15 second period – but the wind swings cross-off and it gets a bit lumpy. Still, the energy is strong (1270).

Now, here’s the real standout of the entire outlook. Saturday the 18th into Sunday the 19th. Saturday morning has 4ft from the ESE, 14 second period, light cross-off breeze and very good conditions (energy 1237). Saturday afternoon switches to a 4ft SE swell with a solid offshore wind – clean and glassy. But the real gem is Wednesday the 22nd morning. That’s the one. Swell builds to 7ft from the south, period of 12 seconds, offshores from the west with barely a breath of wind. The energy is over 2000 (2044). This is excellent for experienced surfers – big, clean, powerful south swell at a beach and reef set-up. Conditions will be pure. After that, Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th hold at 6ft to 5ft from the SSE and SE, still clean in the mornings. That’s a good run of days.

Don’t bother with the 19th – that Sunday brings a heavy southerly swell at 10ft but with a near gale cross-off, making it a complete mess and more of a kite-surf zone than a paddle spot. Same for Monday the 20th – still windy and lumpy.

So to wrap it up: Sunday morning the 12th is your early-bird special for small, clean fun. But the real prize is Wednesday the 22nd morning – big, clean, powerful south groundswell with offshore wind. That’s the day for the crew who knows what they’re doing. Saturday the 18th is also a very solid, fun day. The energy is there, the winds are right – get on it.

Rusty out.

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