Oceanside Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here with a look at what’s shaking over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a pretty quiet stretch ahead for Oceanside Pier. The start, right through the first week, is mostly a bust. We’ve got a few pulses of swell barely cracking 3 ft, but the conditions are just not coming together. Expect a lot of onshore breezes and a general lack of energy. There’s a run from the 12th through the 14th where I’d barely bother paddling out – poor surf and some pretty weak wave energy readings.

The water’s sitting at a notable 72° today, which is about two degrees warmer than average for this time of year. The air won't mind the clear skies, but that warm water is a little unusual.

The swell direction is mostly SW on offer, but those periods jump around. We see some long-period groundswell of 16 to 18 seconds at times, which is good for shape, but with the wind never fully getting out of the way, it’s just not lining up. Those long-period swells also tend to make a beach break like this section of the pier a bit too straight; it’s a setup that works better at a point or reef.

Things start to look a tiny bit more promising around the 19th and into the 20th. There’s a subtle uptick with a 3 ft SW swell and the wind forecast swings favourable, becoming light and offshore (from the SW) early on the 20th. That morning might be the pick of the whole period – small, clean, glassy lines. But it’s still marginal, so keep your expectations in check.

Into the final week, from the 21st onwards, it’s more of the same small, messy cross-onshore stuff. A lot of weak, choppy waves and energy dropping off.

If I had to call a standout, it’s Sunday the 20th of September morning. It’s not going to be epic, but with a touch of SW swell and a window of light offshore wind, it’s the only window that looks surfable and clean.

Rusty.

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