Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s take a good look at what Ocean Beach has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. It’s a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed and generally consistent, but this run is a real mixed bag.

We kick off Wednesday, August 19 and the first thing you need to know is that this swell is absolutely pumping, but it’s way too much. The combined swell energy is through the roof at 5197 (strong to very strong), with a solid 13ft S swell and 11-second period. The wind is a cross-off, so it’s clean, but at 13ft this is strictly for the hardcore crew only – beginners need to sit this one out. That afternoon it drops to 10ft, but with the very long 15-second period, it’ll be powerful and still big. The water temp anomaly is basically average for this time of year.

Thursday morning the 20th sees a big drop to 3ft, clean with a light breeze, but the energy is weak (1159). It’s small and ordinary. Afternoon picks up a bit to 6ft, but the period is only 8 seconds – that’s short-period windswell – and the wind shifts cross-shore creating chop. Not worth paddling out for.

Now, Friday morning August 21 looks like the first true standout. The swell is 5ft from the S with a very long 16-second period, combined energy 1439 (moderate), and we get a crisp NW offshore wind at just 3 mph – that’s glassy clean conditions. The wave comment says excellent for experienced surfers. The long-period groundswell will work best on this beach-and-reef setup, but just be aware that long-period waves can break a bit straight on beach breaks. Still, this is the best on offer early on. That afternoon the wind shifts onshore and it gets messy.

Saturday 22 has a clean morning with 3ft S swell, but the energy is low at 288. Sunday 23 is even smaller, and by Sunday afternoon the swell is down to just 1.0ft – a poor run stretches from there. From August 24 through to August 30, we see a long gap of days with tiny swell – mostly under 3ft – and combined energy below 400 most of the time. The surf is mostly flat or very ordinary. The odd morning has clean conditions but nothing with any power. That’s a solid week of quiet waves.

Then we get a bit of life back on Monday August 31. The morning brings a 7ft S swell with a decent 14-second period and combined energy of 1735 (moderate to strong). Wind is light offshore from the SW, so it’ll be clean, but that 7ft is getting into expert territory. The afternoon turns onshore and choppy.

Tuesday September 1 is mellow but glassy – 4ft S swell, 11 seconds, and glassy conditions. Nice little morning session. Then Wednesday September 2 morning shapes up as another standout: 5ft SSW swell with a very long 16-second period, combined energy 1304 (moderate), and a light offshore wind from WSW (6 mph) – that’s clean and lined up. The wave comment says very good surf conditions. That’s the best of the second week. The afternoon gets onshore again.

Finally, Thursday September 3 morning holds 6ft S swell at 12 seconds, light NW cross-off, clean. Another decent option for experienced surfers.

Overall, the first standout is Friday morning August 21 with that crisp NW offshore and long-period swell. The second standout is Wednesday morning September 2 with the offshore wind and very good wave quality. The rest of the forecast is mostly small, choppy, or just too big – a lot of onshore wind ruins the afternoons. Stick to the mornings if you can, and keep an eye on that long-range promise.

Rusty

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