Ostional Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Ostional over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, the first few days are pretty slow. Saturday the 22nd of August through Monday the 24th, you’re looking at tiny swell – maybe 2 to 3 feet at best – with a long period groundswell from the SW. The wind is offshore from the ENE, so the surface will be glassy and clean, but there’s just not enough wave height to get excited. The combined energy is low, mostly in the 200–300 range, so it’s a lot of waiting for not much.

The water temperature is 84°, which is about normal for this time of year.

By Tuesday the 25th and into the middle of the week, we’re still stuck in that same pattern: small SW swell, offshore winds, but barely any size. A few days – Tuesday 26th through Thursday 28th – are really weak, with wave heights around 2 feet and combined energy dropping below 200. It’s basically flat.

Things start to pick up on Saturday the 29th of August. We get a bump to 4 feet from the SW, with a 16-second period and combined energy jumping to nearly 800–900. The wind stays offshore from the ENE at 22 mph, so it’ll be clean and lined up. This is the first real window – Saturday morning and afternoon both look decent, but it’s still only marginal.

Sunday the 30th holds similar size – around 4 feet – but the wind goes cross-off in the afternoon. Still clean, but not as perfect.

Then we hit another lull on Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September, with the swell dropping back to 3–3 feet. Energy drops off, but the wind stays favorable.

Here’s where it gets good. On Wednesday the 2nd of September, we get a long-period groundswell (17 seconds) from the SW, with combined energy over 400. Wave heights are only about 2 feet, but the quality is there – moderate offshore wind in the morning, light and clean in the afternoon. A good day for a log.

Thursday the 3rd of September is a real standout. Swell builds to about 3 feet from the SW, period hits 20 seconds, and combined energy reaches 685 in the afternoon. Offshore wind from the ENE at 16 mph, and the forecast says “very good surf conditions.” Not huge, but the shape and quality will be excellent.

Friday the 4th of September sees the swell really ramp up – 5 to 6 feet from the SW, 18-second period, and combined energy skyrockets to 1685–1835. That’s strong energy. The morning is offshore and clean, so it’s going to be punchy and powerful. This is too big for beginners – over 5 feet – but for experienced surfers, it’s going to be a blast. The afternoon goes cross-off but stays clean.

Saturday the 5th of September is the pick of the whole outlook. Swell holds at about 5 feet from the SW, 16-second period, and combined energy is 1154 in the morning. Winds are offshore from the ENE at 13 mph, and the forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the day to circle – solid size, clean, and plenty of push. Just keep in mind Ostional can be inconsistent, and with those longer periods, sets might be a bit spaced out. Crowds are possible here.

Sunday the 6th of September drops back a bit – 4 feet from the SW, 15-second period, with moderate offshore winds in the morning and lighter cross-off in the afternoon. Still good, but not the standout of Saturday.

So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly a bust with a small window on Saturday the 29th. The real action kicks off on Thursday the 3rd of September, peaks on Friday the 4th, and Saturday the 5th is the absolute best on offer – solid swell, clean conditions, and plenty of energy. If you can only pick one day, make it Saturday the 5th.

Rusty.

Read more