Ormond Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the next two weeks around Ormond Beach Pier are looking pretty grim. We’ve got a real dry spell on our hands. The first recommendation for a surfable wave doesn’t show up until Wednesday, August 26th, so we’re looking at a solid week of flat, weak, or just plain messy conditions before anything worth paddling out for shows up. It’s a tough run, but hang in there.

From Tuesday, August 18th through to Tuesday, August 25th, it’s a write-off. Tiny swell, mostly under 2 ft, with periods all over the place and poor surf conditions day after day. The wind is a mixed bag, but it doesn’t matter much when the waves are that small. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday morning, August 26th, at Ormond Beach Pier. Swell direction is from the E at 1 ft, but the period jumps to a very long 16 seconds. That’s groundswell energy, and the combined energy is moderate at 100. The wind is light from the SW, giving us a slight offshore breeze. The waves will be clean, but with that long period, this beach/pier setup might make the waves break a little too straight. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Still, it’s the first real chance you’ve had.

Thursday, August 27th is the standout of the whole outlook. The morning shows a clean 2 ft swell from the E, with a 13-second period and moderate energy (191). The wind is cross-off from the WSW, so it’s clean. By the afternoon, conditions improve even more: the same 2 ft E swell, but the period holds at 12 seconds, and the energy is strong at 218. The wind shifts to offshore from the WSW, a moderate breeze, and the forecast says "expect good surf conditions." This is your best window. The swell is small, but it will be clean and lined up. It’s an intermediate-level wave, but crowds are often there, so keep that in mind.

Friday, August 28th, offers a bit of a letdown. The morning has 2 ft E swell, 11-second period, and moderate energy (121), but the wind is cross-off and the conditions are just ordinary. The afternoon is similar, with offshore wind but the energy drops to 102. It’s rideable, but nothing special.

After that, from Saturday, August 29th, through to the end of the forecast on Wednesday, September 2nd, it’s back to poor surf. The wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, the swell stays small under 3 ft, and the energy is weak. The 2nd of September shows a long period 13-second swell from the E, but it’s only 1 ft, and the wind is cross-shore creating chop. Not worth the effort.

So, to boil it down: your best bet is Thursday, August 27th at Ormond Beach Pier. It’s not a big swell, but it’s clean, offshore, and the energy is there. Don’t expect much else.

Rusty.

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