Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at the 16-day picture for Ocean Beach. It’s a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed, and it’s been taking a bit of a beating lately. The water’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 55°, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

First up, the early part of the week is a write-off. That Thursday afternoon, the 9th of July, is a mess – 18 feet of swell but with a howling 31 mph cross-shore wind and rain. The wave energy is absolutely pumping (7150), but it’s just poor, lumpy conditions. Not for paddling, that’s for sure. Friday morning is still ugly with 13 feet and a fresh cross-breeze.

Things start to settle Friday afternoon, the 10th. We get 8 feet from the ESE with a 10-second period, and the wind swings to a cleaner cross-offshore. The energy is still moderate (1995), but it’s rideable. Saturday the 11th looks similar, with 7 feet SE swell and a moderate breeze keeping it clean. Nothing special, but the first real chance to get wet.

The standout of the first week is Sunday morning, the 12th of July. Light offshore wind from the WSW, just 4 feet of ESE swell, and the energy has dropped to 447 – clean and manageable. Not huge, but super clean. The afternoon gets glassy with a tiny 3 feet SSW groundswell (13 seconds), but it’s a bit small and the wind goes onshore, so morning is the call.

Then we hit a dry spell. Monday the 13th through to Thursday the 16th is flat or tiny. Waves are under 3 feet, energy is low (under 300), and the wind is all over the shop. There’s a glassy moment Thursday afternoon with 2 feet, but it’s barely a ripple. A gap of three days with nothing worth chasing.

The second week lights up. Friday the 17th of July brings a solid 7 to 7 feet SE groundswell with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is a strong 25 mph cross-offshore. The energy is strong (2016), but it’s going to be bumpy and only for the experienced. The real gem is Saturday the 18th. Morning has 6 feet SE swell at 13 seconds, light cross-offshore breeze, and the energy is 1135. Clean, powerful, and consistent. The afternoon is even better: 6 feet ESE, glassy conditions, and a light breeze. This is the best of the whole outlook.

Sunday the 19th keeps it going with 5 feet of ESE swell, light offshore wind, and glassy conditions by afternoon. Then Monday the 20th has 6 feet from the ENE, but the wind is a light cross-offshore, so it stays clean. The energy is moderate (964).

But the absolute highlight of the entire forecast is Tuesday the 21st of July. A 4 feet SSW groundswell hits with a massive 17-second period – that’s very long period energy. The wind is light offshore, glassy, and the energy is strong (1511). It’s clean, powerful, and perfect for a point or reef break. Ocean Beach is a beach and reef setup, so that long period might make it a bit straight, but the conditions are superb. This is the one to keep an eye on.

After that, Wednesday the 22nd has 6 feet of short-period S swell (7 seconds) with light offshore wind, but it gets bumpy on Thursday the 23rd with onshore wind and 8 feet. The final few days, the 24th, are blown out with 19 mph onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The window closes.

So, the best on offer is the Saturday the 18th morning and afternoon, and the Tuesday the 21st morning. The 21st is the standout for the long-period energy and perfect wind, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep checking the forecasts. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so for these clean windows, you’ll want to be early.

Rusty.

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