Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Otter Rock over the next couple of weeks.

We’re kicking off with a lumpy start. Monday morning, July 20th, sees a knee-to-waist high 5 ft swell from the NW, but the wind is a cross-onshore breeze at 6 mph, so it’s not clean. The water is a real shocker – 54°F, which is 4° colder than it should be for this time of year, so you’ll be needing a thick suit. The combined wave energy is moderate (612). It’s a marginal day at best, and the afternoon only gets choppier.

Tuesday the 21st drops right off. The swell drops to 2 ft, but the period jumps to 16 seconds, which is a lovely long period groundswell coming from the SW. The wind is light cross-shore at 3 mph, so it’s almost glassy. This is a rare, nice little window – tiny but clean. The energy is moderate (415). For a point break like Otter Rock, that long period will wrap in nicely, but the size is only for a longboard or a funboard. The afternoon stays small but gets more cross-on.

Wednesday the 22nd is more of the same: small 2 ft to 3 ft SW and NW swell, light cross-onshore winds. Nothing to write home about, just ankle to knee high with moderate energy (376). The water is still cold, but the wind is light.

Thursday the 23rd is where things get a little more interesting. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the NW, with a 9-second period, and the wind turns onshore from the WSW at 6 mph. The energy is moderate (415). It’s not perfect, but it’s a step up in size. The water is still cold, but the wind is light.

Friday the 24th is the best of the first week. The swell holds at 5 ft from the NW, 9 seconds, with light onshore to cross-onshore winds at 6 mph. The combined energy is strong (618 in the morning, 705 in the afternoon). The wind is light, so it won’t be too choppy, and the wave comment says “marginal” but with that energy, there will be some fun, clean lines. The water is still colder than average, but that’s Otter Rock for you.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a mixed bag. The swell drops to 2 ft to 3 ft, but the period goes very long – 22 seconds from the WSW on Saturday, 20 seconds from the SW on Sunday. That’s a proper groundswell, and the energy is strong (913 on Saturday, 743 on Sunday). The wind is cross-onshore at 6-9 mph, so it’s not glassy, but for a point break, that long period will make for some lovely, long walls. The size is small, but the quality of the wave will be high. Water is still cold.

The second week, from Monday the 27th to Thursday the 30th, is a bit of a snooze. Swell stays around 2 ft to 3 ft, with SW swell and 16-18 second periods. The wind is mostly cross-onshore, and the energy is moderate (500-600). The water is still cold. It’s small, clean enough, but nothing to get excited about.

Friday the 31st sees a bit of a bump – 5 ft to 5 ft from the NNW, but the period is short at 6-7 seconds, and the wind is cross-onshore at 9-15 mph. The energy is moderate (332). It’s choppy and messy.

Saturday, August 1st, is a real low point. Swell drops to 2 ft, with a 14-second period from the SW in the morning, but the energy is weak (201). The afternoon is 4 ft from the NNW with a 5-second period – that’s windswell, and it’s not good. The wind is cross-onshore.

The Standout:
The best on offer is Friday, July 24th. The morning has 5 ft from the NW, 9 seconds, with light onshore wind, and the wave energy is strong (618). The afternoon has even more energy (705). It’s not the biggest, but it’s the most consistent and cleanest of the whole period. If you can only surf one day, that’s the one.

The Honorable Mention:
The long period windows on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are worth a look for the wave quality, even if the size is small. The energy is high, and the period is very long, so the waves will be smooth and lined up. But it’s small, so don’t expect a barrel.

Crowds:
Otter Rock is a spot that can get crowded often, so expect company on the better days, especially Friday the 24th.

No major standouts in the second week. The swell is small and the wind is mostly cross-onshore. It’s not a total washout, but you’ll be scratching for a wave.

Rusty.

Read more