Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s heading our way for Ocean Beach over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but don’t write it off. The first proper action kicks off Wednesday morning, September 9th. We’re looking at a clean 5 ft swell from the ESE with an 8-second period. The wind is glassy out of the NW at 3 mph, so it’ll be smooth as silk out there. The combined energy is moderate (330). It’s a good one for getting wet, but with that short period, it’ll be a bit lumpy and close together. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.

Thursday the 10th is a bit of a letdown. Smaller waves, around 3 ft on the morning, but the wind is cross-offshore and it’s clean. Still, the energy is weak (95) so it’s just a paddle.

Friday morning the 11th brings a bit more life. A 5 ft swell from the S at 7 seconds, with a cross-offshore wind. The energy jumps up (383), so there’s some push, but that short period means it’ll be a bit messy. The afternoon gets weird – a tiny 2 ft swell but with a very long 18-second period, which is classic groundswell. That long period will make it wall up and break straight at a beach break like Ocean Beach, not ideal for a peaky ride.

Saturday the 12th is a story of two halves. The morning is a write-off with 25 mph winds and rain. But the afternoon? That’s our first standout. Clean, 3 ft swell from the SSW at 16 seconds, with light cross-offshore winds. The energy is strong (743). That long period groundswell will wrap in nicely, and while it might be a bit walled up, the clean conditions and light wind make it a real session. Get on it.

Sunday the 13th gets big. We’ve got a 10 ft swell from the SSW at 16 seconds in the morning. The energy is massive (6501). This is expert-only territory, and even then, the cross-shore winds at 15 mph will chop it up. The afternoon drops to 8 ft, still a heavy swell. This is the kind of day where the wind and size make it more interesting for the kite crew than us paddle surfers.

Monday the 14th is your second standout. A clean 6 ft swell from the S at 12 seconds, with a light cross-offshore wind from the WNW. The energy is strong (1065). This is a solid, clean, powerful swell with good shape. The morning is the pick, as the afternoon gets a cross-onshore wind. This is the best session of the whole period.

Tuesday the 15th is smaller but still fun. Morning has 4 ft from the S at 11 seconds, clean and cross-offshore. A good, solid, average day.

From the 16th to the 20th, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Swells drop off, with some tiny 1 ft days and others like the 18th September Friday afternoon packing a punch with a 5 ft SSW swell at a very long 21 seconds, but the wind is moderate. The energy is high (2421), but the conditions are marginal. The 19th September Saturday has clean offshore winds and 5 ft swell, but it’s a bit raw.

The 21st September Monday afternoon is another clean winner. 4 ft from the SSW at 14 seconds, gentle offshore wind. The energy is solid (733). A very clean, fun session.

The 22nd September Tuesday is a beast. 12 ft from the S at 11 seconds. The energy is enormous (2981). This is way too big for Ocean Beach, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. The wind is light, but the size is a monster. Only for the absolute experts and those with a death wish.

The 23rd September Wednesday morning cleans up nicely. 5 ft from the S at 11 seconds, cross-offshore wind. Energy is strong (893). A solid, good session.

The 24th September Thursday is the last day, and it’s a small, poor finish. 2 ft from the S, with a cross-shore wind. Not worth a paddle.

So, if you’re looking for the best, aim for Saturday afternoon the 12th for that clean, long-period groundswell, and absolute top pick is Monday morning the 14th for the best combination of size, power, and clean conditions. The 21st afternoon is also a beauty.

Rusty out.

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