Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, gather ‘round, me hearties. Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our local patch, Ocean Beach. It’s a classic beach and reef set-up, and we’ve got a bit of a slow burn coming our way. The water is a bit nippy for this time of year, sitting at 55°F, which is a touch colder than usual.

The kick-off is a gentle one. Wednesday morning, the 15th, we’ve got tiny 2ft waves from the east, but with a glassy, offshore wind, it’ll be clean as a whistle. The energy is weak (68). It’s barely surfable, just a chance to get the arms moving. Later that day, the wind goes glassy, but the swell is still tiny.

Now, Thursday morning the 16th is where it starts to get interesting. The swell bumps up to 2ft from the ESE with a 15-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy starting to show up. The wind is offshore and clean, and the energy is ramping up (241). By Thursday afternoon, it’s 3ft of ESE swell with a 17-second period, still offshore, and the energy is now moderate (521). It’s building.

Friday the 17th is the first real standout. Friday morning, the swell jumps to 6ft from the ESE, period 16 seconds, and the wind is light offshore from the WNW. The combined energy has shot up to a strong 1497. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The waves will have real power and shape, but it’s a beach break, so that long period might make it a bit straight. Friday afternoon, the wind turns onshore and the quality drops.

Saturday morning the 18th is still solid, with 5ft waves and a cross-offshore wind, keeping things clean. The energy is still strong (1233). The onshore wind hits again in the afternoon, so morning sessions are the go.

Sunday the 19th is a bit of a mixed bag. The swell is still 5-5ft, but the wind is cross or cross-offshore, and the energy is massive (2302), but the wave comment says it’s marginal. It’ll be powerful but messy.

The next big highlight comes on Monday the 20th. Monday morning, the swell is 6ft from the south, with a 15-second period and a light offshore breeze from the west. The energy is very strong (1699), and it’s flagged as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best size and cleanest window on offer.

Tuesday the 21st is still fun, with 5ft waves and offshore wind in the morning, but the energy is dropping (1177). The rest of the week tails off, with the swell fading to knee-high by the 23rd. There’s a solid gap of small, ordinary surf until the 28th, where it picks up just a bit again.

Then, right at the end on Wednesday the 29th, we get a late pulse. The swell jumps to 6-6ft, but it’s short-period, wind-swell. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the energy is moderate (537) and the short period means it’ll be a bit fat and lumpy. More of a wind-slop than a groundswell. It’s a mention for the diehards, but not a true standout.

So, for the best wave, get up early on Friday the 17th or Monday the 20th. Friday has the quality groundswell, Monday has the push of S swell. Both with clean morning winds. The crowds are listed as ‘sometimes’, so you might have some company for the good ones.

Signing off, Rusty.

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