Oceanside Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Oceanside Pier over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a long stretch of surf ahead, but it’s not all created equal. The early part of the period is looking a bit marginal, with small, short-period swell hanging in there. The real juice starts to show up toward the end of the month and into the first couple of days of August, before things really flatten out in the second week.

Right now, starting Friday the 24th of July, the surf is small and pretty weak. Swell is coming from the SW around 2ft with a period of 24 seconds. That long period at a beach break like this tends to wall up and break a bit straight, so the shape won't be amazing. The water is notably warm, coming in at 74°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined swell energy on Friday morning is moderate (928). There’s a light breeze from the SW, so it’s clean enough for a longboard, but don't expect much push.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th stay similar, with swell heights around 3ft. The period drops a touch, but the wind stays light and mostly offshore, so the surface will be clean. Still, the energy is only moderate (926 on Sunday morning), and the scores are low. This is strictly small-wave fun.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th see a modest bump in size, with swell hitting 4ft to 5ft, still from the SSW. Period is dropping into the 17-18 second range, which at least starts to give a bit more power, and the combined energy pushes into the “strong” range (1147 on Monday morning and 1133 Tuesday afternoon). Winds are light offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the commentary keeps calling it “marginal.” You’ll find some rideable waves, but nothing to write home about.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th drop back a little to 3ft to 4ft, with period settling around 15-16 seconds. Offshore breezes hold, so the morning sessions will be glassy, but the energy is moderate, and it’s still not delivering the goods.

Now, here’s the standout. Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August are the best on offer in this whole 16-day window. On Friday morning, we see a solid 6ft swell from the S, with a period of 14 seconds, pushing the combined energy to a strong 1466. The wind is offshore from the WSW early, so it should be clean for the dawn patrol. By Friday afternoon, the wind swings a bit cross-on and the swell stays at 6ft, but it gets a bit choppy. Saturday morning the 1st of August still has 6ft from the SSW, but the wind is cross-on again, so the surface won’t be perfect. Still, this is the biggest, most powerful swell of the whole forecast, and the best chance for a proper wave. It’s in the 6ft to 6ft range—big enough to be fun for intermediates but not out of control. Just be aware, since it’s a beach break, the longer period will make it a bit walled and closey at times.

After that, it drops off a cliff. Sunday the 2nd of August to the end of the period is a write-off. Swell drops to 4ft on Sunday morning, then sinks to 3ft, then 2ft, and by Thursday the 6th of August we are down to 2ft and less, with combined energy falling into the weak to very weak range (144 on Saturday the 8th of August). Winds become cross-on and the conditions are “poor.” From Sunday the 2nd onward, it’s flat and not worth paddling out.

So, the pick of the fortnight: Friday the 31st of July morning and Saturday the 1st of August morning have the best combination of size and power, though expect some wind messing things up on Saturday. After that, put the board away.

Rusty, signing off.

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