Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Alright, let’s have a look at what Otter Rock’s got cookin’ for us over the next couple weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so strap in.

We’re starting off with a few days of slim pickings. The first session worth paddling out for isn't until Saturday, August 29th, but honestly, it’s a tough start. Otter Rock is a point break, exposed to the west, and usually handles a good swell, but right now it’s struggling. The water’s sitting at 55.4°F, which is a solid 3.96°F colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a noticeable chill, so a good wetsuit is non-negotiable.

Saturday morning the 29th has a tiny 1.6 ft swell from the SW, but with a super long 17-second period. That kind of long-period energy loves a point break like this, but at this height it’s barely gonna peel. The wind is 3 mph from the west, so it’s glassy, but the wave comment says it’s marginal. The combined swell energy is only 235 (weak), so there’s just nothing doing. Saturday afternoon goes downhill with a NW cross-onshore breeze at 9 mph making it choppy.

Sunday the 30th is pretty average too. Morning has a 2.3 ft SW swell (16-second period) with a cross-shore NNW breeze at 3 mph, giving light ripples. The energy jumps a bit to 409 (moderate), but it’s still not enough to get excited about. By afternoon, the wind picks up to 12 mph from the NNW, making it choppy again.

Monday the 31st is nothing special. Morning session has 2.3 ft at 15 seconds but with a cross-onshore breeze, and the afternoon bumps up to 4.3 ft from the NW with a short 10-second period and 12 mph wind. The energy gets to 614 (moderate) but the conditions are poor.

Tuesday, September 1st, stays mediocre. Morning has 3.9 ft NW swell (9-second period) with a cross-onshore breeze, and afternoon sees 3.6 ft with a cross-shore wind. The energy is moderate but the quality isn’t there.

We hit a bit of a bump on Wednesday the 2nd. Morning shows 6.6 ft from the SSW but with only a 7-second period and a screaming 22 mph south wind making a lumpy mess. The energy is 614 (moderate) but that wind is a killer. Afternoon is 6.6 ft with a lighter NW breeze but still cross-onshore.

Thursday the 3rd has some serious size but rough conditions. Morning brings 6.9 ft from the WNW with 11-second period and a cross-onshore wind – the energy jumps to 1145 (strong). That’s proper swell but the wind is messy. Afternoon is 6.9 ft with a 10-second period and offshore WNW wind at 9 mph, and the energy is 1130 (strong). That’s borderline expert territory at over 8 ft and a bit raw.

Now, here’s the standout. Friday, September 4th morning. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell is a solid 5.2 ft from the WNW (9-second period), with the energy at 623 (moderate). But the wind? Dead calm. Zero mph. Glassy conditions. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” For Otter Rock, a point break, this is prime. Get out there early, because the afternoon the wind swings back to NNW at 9 mph and goes cross-onshore, messing it up.

Saturday the 5th morning has a clean 4.3 ft WNW swell with 3 mph offshore west wind and 537 energy (moderate), which could be okay but nothing special. Afternoon is small and messy again.

From Sunday the 6th through to Thursday the 10th, it’s a stretch of mostly marginal surf with cross-onshore or cross winds. The swells hang around 2.0 ft to 5.9 ft, but the wind is always working against it. The energy stays between 379 and 833 (moderate). Nothing to rush for.

Then we get another potential window on Wednesday, September 9th morning. The swell is 7.2 ft from the NW with an 11-second period, light cross-shore NNW wind at 6 mph, and the combined energy hits 1359 (strong). That’s a lot of water moving. It’s right at the top end for experts only at over 8 ft, but for the crew who can handle it, the conditions are cleaner than most other days.

Thursday the 10th sees a drop back to 4.6 ft and then 4.3 ft in the afternoon, with moderate cross-winds and energy in the 650-689 range.

The second week from Friday the 11th to Sunday the 13th fades out with small 2.3 ft to 2.6 ft SW swell, short periods, and steady moderate cross-winds. The energy drops from 567 down to 218 (weak). Not worth a paddle.

Honestly, if you

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