Oceanside Harbor Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a bit of a slow grind ahead. We’ve got a whole lot of small, weak swell and mostly onshore or cross-onshore wind, so the surf is going to be pretty poor for the vast majority of the 16-day window. The first real flicker of anything rideable doesn’t show up until the middle of the second week, so you’re looking at a long gap of flat or near-flat, messy conditions.

For the first week and a half, from now through to around the 14th of August, the swell is tiny, and the wind is constantly messing it up. The combined wave energy is weak, sitting between 152 and 452 (moderate energy at the top end), but with swell heights barely reaching 3 ft and periods all over the place, it’s just not doing anything for us. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.

The only time the surf even starts to whisper is on the 14th of August (Friday afternoon) at Oceanside Harbor. The swell ticks up a little, with a 3 ft SSW swell at 18 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 669 (moderate wave energy). The wind is still onshore, but it’s a light breeze, so it’s not a total washout. The score is still marginal, but it’s the best we’ve seen in a while. This is a super exposed beach/jetty break, so it catches everything, but with that long period (18 seconds), it might be a bit straight and fast for the beach break, but there could be a few fun ones if you pick the right bank.

The 15th of August (Saturday) is a tiny bit better. The morning has a 3 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is 571 (moderate). The wind is light onshore, so it’s not clean, but it’s not horrible. The afternoon sees a 4 ft SW swell, again with light cross-onshore wind. This is the biggest swell of the whole period, but it’s still small, and the wind is a factor. For a surfer, it’s the best of a bad bunch, but it’s not a standout.

After that, it drops back down to nothing. The 16th through the 19th are all back to poor surf, tiny waves, and increasing wind. The 17th of August has a moderate breeze from the WNW, making it choppy and ugly.

The best bet: If you’re desperate, the 15th of August (Saturday) is your day. Morning or afternoon, take your pick, but the afternoon has a slightly bigger swell (4 ft from the SW) and the wind is light, so it might be slightly cleaner. The crowds at Oceanside Harbor are often there, so expect some company. It’s an exposed break, so it’s all about finding a bank that works. For a beginner, this is still a bit small, but it’s not dangerous. For an expert, it’s a long wait for a short wave. Just keep your expectations low.

Rusty.

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