Oceanside Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming our way at Oceanside Pier.

Truth be told, it’s a quiet start. The first few days are pretty lackluster. The water is sitting at a very unusual 73.8°, that’s much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit if you’re paddling out, but the waves themselves are a bit of a letdown. We’ve got a long-period groundswell coming from the SSW, around 16 seconds, which usually means good shape, but the wave height is hovering barely above 3.3 ft. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate, sitting around 774 (moderate wave energy) on Saturday the 15th, and it just slides down from there. The wind is some annoying cross-on flow, making things a little choppy.

Honestly, through the middle of next week and into the end of August, it’s a slog. Swell drops to that 1.6 ft to 2.6 ft range with energy figures dipping into the 100s and 200s (weak wave energy). Even when the wind goes light and onshore, the surf is just too small to get excited about. There’s a stretch of days where it’s barely worth dragging your board off the racks.

The first real glimmer of hope, and I mean a proper standout, arrives around Friday the 28th of August. We see a bump in the swell. Friday afternoon shows the swell jumping to 4.3 ft from the SSW with that lovely 16-second period. The combined energy pushes to 1044 (strong wave energy) – that’s the most juice we’ve seen in the forecast. The wind stays light cross-onshore, so while not glassy, it’s manageable.

Saturday the 29th keeps the party going with a 3.6 ft SSW swell and 18-second period, which is a very long groundswell. That kind of period is best for points and reefs rather than a beach break like the Pier, where it can set up a bit straight, but the energy is there (972 – strong wave energy). Light cross-onshore winds again.

Sunday the 30th is still on the tables with 3.3 ft SSW swell and cleanish winds. So, while the first 12 days are a write-off, the final weekend of August has a pulse.

For the standout, roll up for Oceanside Pier on Friday the 28th of August afternoon. You’ll have 4.3 ft of long-period SSW groundswell pushing through with strong combined energy (1044). The wind is light cross-onshore, which is acceptable, and because it’s a very consistent break, you’ll get waves rolling through. It’s often crowded though, so expect company in the water. It’s small enough for intermediates to handle.

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