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. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there are some solid windows if you know when to paddle out.

The first real action kicks off on Sunday morning, August 2nd. We’ve got a solid 8 ft south swell pushing in, with a 12-second period. The combined energy is cooking at 1892, so there’s some proper grunt in the water. The wind is light offshore from the west, keeping things clean. This is heavy, experienced surfer territory – the swell is over 8 ft, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. That Sunday afternoon goes glassy with a light 7 ft south swell and 11-second period, dropping to 1418 energy, but still a powerful, clean session for the crew who can handle it.

Monday morning, August 3rd, eases off a touch. A 5 ft SSE swell with a cross-offshore breeze from the northwest keeps it clean. Energy drops to 576, but it’s a good, manageable size for a wider range of surfers. The water is still clean. Monday afternoon sees a 3 ft south swell with a 13-second period and a nice offshore wind from the WSW, making for some gentle, lined-up waves.

Now, Tuesday August 4th through Wednesday August 5th? That’s a different story. The swell jumps up to 12 ft then 15 ft from the south, with energy readings hitting 3024, 7403, and even 10145 on Wednesday morning. That’s massive, dangerous surf. The wind is cross-offshore, but honestly, this is way too big for any paddle surfing at Ocean Beach. This setup looks way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. It’s expert-only, and even then, it’s a mission.

We get a bit of a breather Thursday morning, August 6th. A 8 ft SSE swell, 11-second period, with a light offshore wind from the west. Energy is 1326, and it’s clean. That’s a very good session for competent surfers. Thursday afternoon gets a bit messy with the wind swinging cross-onshore, so it’s marginal.

Friday morning, August 7th, is a real standout. A 5 ft south swell with a *19-second period* – that’s a deep, long-period groundswell. Energy is 1969, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the WSW. That long period will make for some proper, powerful lines, but it might break a bit too straight at the beach. It’s still excellent for experienced surfers. Saturday morning, August 8th, is glassy with a 8 ft south swell, 13-second period, and 2490 energy. That’s another clean, heavy session for the experts.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. From Sunday afternoon, August 9th, through to the end of the week, the swell drops and the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore. The energy readings are mostly in the hundreds, and the comments are “marginal” or “poor.” There’s a gap of a few days with no real recommendations.

The second week, from August 11th onward, is pretty quiet. The swell direction shifts to ENE, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore. Energy readings are low, mostly in the 600-800 range. There’s a small window on Friday morning, August 14th, with a 5 ft ENE swell, 11-second period, and a light cross-offshore wind from the northwest. Energy is 635, and it’s clean, but it’s a small, short-period swell. Saturday morning, August 15th, has a similar setup with a 6 ft ENE swell and a light cross-offshore wind, but it’s still not firing.

So, the best bets are Sunday morning, August 2nd, and Friday morning, August 7th. Sunday is powerful, clean, and heavy – a real challenge. Friday has that incredible long period, making for some deep, grinding waves if you can find the right bank. Get out there early, and be smart.

Rusty.

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