Oceanic Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Oceanic Pier. The next couple of weeks are quiet—real quiet. There’s a big stretch of nothing happening for the first several days, so don’t bother paddling out until we get into the first week of September. Consistent? Not really. Worth waiting for? Let’s see.

Saturday 29th, no go. Tiny 0.4m swell from the ESE, period a short 8 seconds, and the energy reading is a weak 28. That’s barely a ripple. Wind’s glassy in the morning but there’s thunderstorms around, and the wave quality is just poor. Sunday 30th, same story—0.4m, short period, onshore winds, no energy to speak of. Monday 31st morning, glassy again but the swell is still pathetic at 0.6m with a 37 energy reading. It’s all very poor. Tuesday 1st September? Clean cross-offshore wind in the morning, but the swell is 0.5m and the period has dropped to 7 seconds—just weak. The water temperature is sitting at 28°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing strange there.

The first hint of something surfable shows up on Wednesday 2nd September morning. Swell height bumps to 0.8m from the SE, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits 127—moderate. The wind is light cross-offshore, so conditions are clean, but the surf is still described as “very ordinary.” It’s the best we’ve seen, but honestly, it’s not a standout. The afternoon has stronger wind, making it even less appealing. Thursday 3rd, the swell drops back to 0.6m, energy 53, and by Friday 4th, it’s 0.4m again. There’s a real gap of poor-to-mediocre conditions stretching from the 29th of August right through to the 7th of September.

Now, Monday 7th September morning is clean with offshore wind from the W at 20 km/h, and the swell is 0.3m from the SE, period 9 seconds—still tiny, energy 14. Not enough to ride. Tuesday 8th September afternoon sees a jump: swell 0.8m, period 12 seconds from the SE, and the energy reading is 241—moderate. That’s the kind of energy that could produce a few corners, but it’s still small. Wednesday 9th September morning offers offshore wind from the W at 20 km/h, a 0.7m swell from the SE, period 10 seconds, energy 97, and it’s described as “surfable but very ordinary.” There’s a real chance of a clean wave, but it’s not going to get the heart racing.

The real standout—if you’re patient—is the morning of Thursday 11th September. The swell direction swings to the NE, which is the optimum direction for this spot, and height hits 0.9m. The period is only 6 seconds, so it’s short-period windswell, but the energy reading is 102—moderate. The wind is cross-onshore, which is a bit of a bummer, but it’s the best looking window in the whole 16 days. Swell direction is right, and the size is at least useable. It’s the most promising option, but it’s a long way off and we’re talking about a short-period swell, so don’t expect groundswell perfection. The energy is moderate, but the period is short, so it’ll be a bit lumpy under the wind.

For the rest of the second week, it’s small and uninspiring. Saturday 13th September sees a 1.0m to 1.3m swell from the E, but period is 5-6 seconds, onshore winds, and the energy is 149—so it’s got some push but the wind and period are a mess. Poor surf conditions all the way through.

Overall, if you’re desperate for a paddle, Wednesday 2nd September morning is the first real chance, but it’s very ordinary. The best bet is Thursday 11th September morning, when the swell direction lines up with the optimum NE. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only window that feels like it could offer a few fun ones. The rest of the 16 days is mostly flat or poor. Longer gaps of nothing between the 29th of August and the 7th of September. Keep an eye on the forecast, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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