Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Otter Rock.

Right, things kick off on Thursday the 16th of July, but to be honest, it’s a slow start. We’ve got a long-period groundswell rolling in from the WNW with a 19-second period and swell heights around 2 ft. The combined energy registers at 426 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-onshore, so it’s not going to be clean. Friday the 17th sees the swell building a little to 3 ft from the WNW, period dropping to 17 seconds, energy moderate at 584. However, we’re stuck with cross-onshore winds again. Saturday the 18th bumps up to 5 ft from the NW with a short period of 10 seconds; the energy climbs to 875, but the wind is still cross-onshore. Honestly, the first few days are a bit messy. The water temperature here is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

Sunday the 19th through Wednesday the 22nd shows a mix of 5 ft to 6 ft swells from the NW, mostly short-period stuff under 10 seconds. Winds stay cross-onshore, keeping things choppy. The wave energy varies from 490 to 796 through that period. There’s nothing that’s going to have you calling in sick for work.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 23rd of July offers a 5 ft NW swell with a short period, but the winds finally back off to a light breeze. Energy is at 500. It’s still marginal, but with that light wind, it’s the closest we get to a decent window that week.

Moving into the second week, Friday the 24th of July keeps the NW swell at 5 ft with a 9-second period, and we get a morning of light onshore wind from the WNW. The energy is decent at 635, but the quality is still questionable.

The real standout arrives Saturday the 25th of July. We’ve got a major shift. A very long-period groundswell from the WSW, 22-second period, but the swell height is only 2 ft. Wave energy is moderate at 676. The catch is the wind is a gentle cross-onshore breeze, so it’s not glassy. This is a point break setup, and long-period swells like this often produce clean, lined-up waves, especially here at Otter Rock, where the optimum swell direction is W. It won’t be big, but those long-period waves will have shape and push. It’s the best bet on offer.

Sunday the 26th of July is similar, with a 3 ft SW swell, 20-second period, but the cross-onshore winds get stronger, making it choppier. The energy hits 872, but the conditions aren’t there.

From Monday the 27th of July through to the end of the period, we’re looking at small, short-period SW swells (2 ft to 3 ft, periods 15-19 seconds) with persistent cross-onshore or cross-shore winds. Energy stays moderate (481-871), but it’s all pretty junky and not worth chasing. The wind picks up to a fresh breeze on the 29th and 30th, making it lumpy.

So here’s the deal: the best window is Saturday the 25th of July morning. The swell direction (WSW) and the break's optimum W direction aren't a perfect match, but with a 22-second groundswell and a point break like Otter Rock, those long lines will wrap in and offer some clean, fun shapes if you’re patient. It’s not a big day, but it’s the only proper groundswell window on the cards. Keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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