Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

Alright, looking at the next couple weeks, it's a bit of a mixed bag for Ocean Beach. We got some real size coming, but the wind and conditions aren't always playing ball. The first few days are pretty lackluster, then we get a massive pulse, but it's for the brave. The tail end of the window settles down.

The water is sitting at about 53°F, which is a good bit colder (about -3°F anomaly) than we're used to for this time of year, so don't be shy with the thick steamer.

We start off Thursday the 13th and into Friday with a messy, weak 4ft short-period swell from the NE, and onshore winds. It's pretty poor and not worth your time. Energy readings are weak, around 190-200, just a bit of a chop.

Saturday the 15th sees the swell bump up to 7ft but it's still from the east with light rain and soft, onshore wind. The energy is moderate at 731, but the conditions are marginal.

Now, here's the big one. Sunday the 16th. The wind swings to a fresh SSW, blowing cross-offshore. The swell is going to hammer in at 12ft to 13ft from the S, with energy readings blowing through the roof at 1638 and then 3053. The waves will be clean, but anything over 8ft is for experts only. This is a true beast, and with a period of 8-10 seconds, it'll be a heavy, close-out shorebreak at a beach. For most, this is a show, not a go. The afternoon might even be too big for this break.

Monday the 17th keeps the energy high with 8ft to 10ft from the SSE, but a strong crosswind will turn it into a lumpy, choppy mess.

By Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th, the size is still substantial (8ft to 10ft) but the wind is cross-offshore and clean. The massive energy readings (1472 to 3420) tell you there's a lot of power, but the quality rating is only marginal, and it's still mostly for the experienced crew.

The real standout here looks like Thursday, August 20th. Get on it early. We have a nice 7ft groundswell from the south, with a solid period of 13 seconds, and a light SW wind. The energy is strong (1458), and it's the first time we get a proper "excellent" call for experienced surfers. The tide and wind should line up for some clean, lined-up walls.

Friday the 21st morning is another excellent call for the experienced crowd. The swell drops back to 5ft, but that's coming from the south with a very long 16-second period. The wind is light offshore from the WNW. The energy is still high (1380). This long-period groundswell can be a bit straight at a beach but pure, clean, and powerful.

Into the second week, things drop off. Saturday the 22nd is still fun with clean 4ft south swell, and Sunday the 23rd is small. From there we get a long stretch of tiny surf, mostly under 3ft, until a new pulse shows up around Wednesday the 26th. That morning brings a 7ft NE windswell with a short 7-second period, but light offshore winds. The energy is moderate at 580, and it’ll be clean but very crumbly. That's followed by a messy 10ft NE swell in the afternoon, so not the best quality.

So, the call is Thursday the 20th morning. That's your best shot for a proper session with size, power, and clean conditions. The Friday morning the 21st with that 16-second groundswell is another one to have on your radar for the experienced surfer.

Rusty.

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