Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for Ocean Beach over the next couple weeks. We’re looking at a solid run of surf, but it’s got a real sharp edge to it – this isn’t a beginner’s playground for the most part.

The opening fetch of surf moves in on Wednesday, September 2nd, and it kicks off with serious heft. We’re talking a proper S groundswell pumping in at 7 ft, with a period of 13 seconds. The combined swell energy is cranking at a very strong (2553). Ocean Beach is a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed to this S swell, and the wind is a light cross-off from the WNW. It’s clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Wednesday afternoon looks even bigger, with a long-period 17-second S swell hitting 8 ft. The energy jumps to (3561). Wind is a slight cross-off from the NNW, so conditions stay clean. Everything is lining up, but at this size, with that period and a beach break, it’s going to be a freight train. Only for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Thursday the 3rd still holds good, though it’s backing off. The morning offers a clean 5 ft S swell at 13 seconds, with a light cross-off NW wind. Energy drops to a moderate (838). The wind’s still good, so there are plenty of waves to be had. The afternoon gets a little tricky with a cross-shore wind and a smaller 4 ft swell – it gets a bit messy.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th see the size drop right off. We’re down into the 1 ft to 2 ft range with weak energy (43-79). It’s clean but tiny, nothing to get excited about.

After a flat spell, the real standout of the whole period arrives on Tuesday, September 8th. The morning session is the pick of the entire forecast. A solid 10 ft S swell is rolling in, period at 12 seconds, with the combined energy up at (2759). The wind is a light cross-off from the SSW – glassy clean conditions. This is another day for experts only; 10 ft is serious business at a beach break. The afternoon holds the size but clocks up a cross-shore wind, making it less attractive.

Wednesday the 9th is still a solid option in the morning with a clean 6 ft S swell and moderate energy (969).

Then on Thursday, September 10th, we get another great morning window. An offshore breeze from the WNW and a 8 ft S swell, period of 13 seconds, create excellent conditions for experienced surfers, with energy at (1672). The afternoons after this get let down by onshore wind.

The second week tails off significantly. There’s a very quiet period from around the 12th to the 15th, with only small, weak swell, poor wind, and mostly ordinary conditions. A pulse of 6 ft S swell shows up on Wednesday the 16th, but the wind is a screaming 22 mph SSW. It’s blown out. Not worth the paddle.

To wrap it up: your best bets are the morning sessions on September 8th and September 10th. Get on it early, because the wind is your best friend then. This is a stretch for experienced surfers only.

Rusty.

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