Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but don’t write this one off. The first few days are a washout, but the real action kicks off from Sunday the 26th, so hang tight.

The water at Ocean Beach is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Not a huge surprise for this spot, but you’ll want a good hood.

Friday the 24th is a total no-go. Tiny, weak swell and poor conditions. Save your energy.

We get a little pulse showing Saturday morning, the 25th, with a 2ft swell from the east at 12 seconds, but it’s cloudy and the conditions are just ordinary. The combined energy is moderate (221), but honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for.

Sunday morning, the 26th, is where things start to get interesting. The swell picks up to 3ft from the ESE with a 14-second period, giving it proper groundswell feel. The combined energy jumps right up to 777 (moderate), and the forecast says expect very good surf conditions. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the WSW. This is the first real standout of the outlook. The waves will be clean and have some punch for their size. Just be aware that with a long period like that, it might be a bit too straight for the beach break, but it’s a great chance to get some clean peelers.

Sunday afternoon gets a bit messy. The swell jumps to 7ft from the south, but the period drops to 8 seconds and the wind picks up to 16 mph. It’s a bit of a washout.

Now, Monday the 27th rolls in with some serious energy. The morning shows a 8ft swell from the SSE at 13 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 3636 (strong). Wind is a light cross-off from the SW. This is for experienced surfers only – the size and power will be a handful. The wave comment says "marginal," but the energy is undeniable. This is the main event.

Tuesday the 28th is the other big standout. Morning session with a 8ft swell from the ESE at 13 seconds, combined energy of 1936 (strong), and clean conditions with a light cross-off from the SW. The report says excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. This is your best window for a serious session. The afternoon on Tuesday switches to a cross-on, so get it early.

The swell drops through Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th, with 6ft and 4ft respectively, still clean in the mornings. Good, solid, more manageable waves.

Friday the 31st turns messy again, and then we hit a rough patch. From Saturday the 1st of August all the way through to Friday the 7th of August, it’s a long stretch of poor surf conditions. The winds are strong, mostly onshore, and the swell is junky. For a beach and reef setup like Ocean Beach, this is looking more like a kite surfing week than a paddle surfing one. The 10ft swell on Saturday the 1st of August is just a windy mess.

Finally, on Saturday the 8th of August, we get a little hope. A 5ft swell from the SSW at 13 seconds with a light cross-off wind. The combined energy is 1099 (strong), and the forecast says expect very good surf conditions. It’s a fair way out, so keep an eye on it, but it could be a nice way to close out the window.

The best on offer: Sunday morning the 26th for the clean, long-period groundswell, and Tuesday morning the 28th for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful swell of the period. That Tuesday session is the one to circle on the calendar.

Rusty, signing off.

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