Oceanside Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Oceanside Pier. Don’t get too excited just yet—the next few days are looking pretty flat and messy. The real interest is further out, so let’s take it day by day.

Right now, and through the start of the week, we’ve got a small, long-period SW groundswell rolling in. Swell heights are only around 3 ft to 3 ft, with a period of 15 to 18 seconds. That long period means the waves will have some punch for their size, but the combined energy is weak to moderate (around 456 to 770). The problem is the wind. It’s mostly onshore or cross-onshore from the WSW, which is making for poor surf conditions. The water is a very unusual 72°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. Don’t expect much worth paddling out for through Sunday the 20th.

Things stay marginal through the middle of the week. From Monday the 21st through Thursday the 24th, we’re stuck with that same 3 ft to 3 ft SSW swell, but the period drops to 13-16 seconds, so the energy is a bit weaker (around 400-600). The wind is still a problem, mostly WSW or SW, keeping the surface bumpy. It’s inconsistent and not really offering any quality. The combined swell energy is moderate (around 400-600). Not a standout.

Now, we start to see a pulse of better energy arriving around Friday the 25th. On Friday the 24th afternoon, the swell bumps up to 4 ft from the S, and we see a jump in energy (868). That’s a sign of things to come. Saturday the 25th morning looks a little better: 3 ft from the SW with a 21-second period, and the combined energy climbs to 1055 (strong). The wind is light and onshore from the SW, so it’s not clean, but the energy is there. This is the first real hint of something good.

The best bet in this whole outlook is the window from Sunday the 26th through Tuesday the 28th. The swell settles in at 3 ft to 4 ft from the SW and SSW, with a period of 17-19 seconds. The combined energy is strong to very strong, hitting 1003 on Sunday morning and peaking at 1150 on Tuesday morning. The wind is light from the SW or WSW, which is an onshore direction, but it’s light enough that the surf should be clean with small bumps. This is the most consistent and powerful stretch of the run. The waves will have plenty of shape, and the long period will make paddling out easier. The 4 ft swell is still manageable for intermediates, but not for beginners, it'll be a little juice.

After that, there’s a bit of a drop-off. Wednesday the 29th sees a stronger S wind (12 mph) that will make it choppy. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st bring a bigger pulse of swell—6 ft to 6 ft from the S and SSW, with strong energy (1200-1329). This is getting into expert territory, over 5 ft, and the period drops to 14 seconds, so it’s a more powerful, but shorter period swell. The wind is light, so it should be clean, but the size and power make it one for the experienced crew only. The first few days of August see the swell drop back down to 4 ft to 5 ft, but the energy fades fast and the period gets shorter.

So, if you’re looking for the best on offer, aim for the Sunday 26th to Tuesday 28th window. That’s your cleanest, most consistent, and most powerful surf for the average surfer. The 3 ft to 4 ft SW swell with light winds will be the highlight. The bigger stuff on the 30th and 31st is for the experts only. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath for this week.

Rusty.

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