Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, Rusty here. Let's break down what's coming up at Otter Rock for the next couple of weeks. It's a slow start, but there's some hope on the horizon.

Right now, the surf is pretty flat. The first chance to get wet is Sunday the 13th, but with a weak 0.8m SW swell and a cross-shore wind, it's not going to be great. The wave energy is low (455), and the wind is going to mess things up. Not worth rushing out.

Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th see a small NW windswell around 1.1m, but the period is short at 8 seconds, and it's onshore. The energy stays low to moderate, and conditions are poor. This is looking more like a kite-surfing session than a proper surf.

Wednesday the 16th is still pretty ordinary, with a bit more height but that short period NW swell and a cross-chop that's going to make it messy.

Now, Thursday the 17th of September – that's where things start to look interesting. By Thursday afternoon we get a 1.6m NW swell with a 9-second period and glassy conditions. That's clean, lined-up surf with moderate wave energy (544). The water temp is about average for this time of year. This is the first real standout – Otter Rock will be worth a look for a late afternoon session.

Friday the 18th morning keeps the glassy conditions, but the swell drops to 1.2m. It'll be clean but smaller, so still a decent option. The afternoon sees the wind swing onshore, so get it early.

We hit a flat spell over the weekend – Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th are tiny, with 0.4m to 0.7m swells from the WSW. The long period on Sunday morning (18 seconds) is promising but the swell is just too small. That Sunday morning glass-off will be a flat, pretty ocean.

Monday the 21st through Tuesday the 22nd are similar – small, weak, and onshore.

Looking further out, the second week brings some size. Wednesday the 23rd of September we start seeing a proper NW groundswell, pushing up to 1.8m and 12 seconds. The wave energy jumps to 1197 – that's strong, and the wind is light cross-onshore. It'll be a bit lumpy, but there's power. Thursday the 24th holds around 2.1m with similar conditions – strong energy, but some cross-chop from the NNW wind.

Friday the 25th still has size but the energy drops, and by Saturday the 26th it's on the way down.

Then we get a late burst: Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th of September look like the real highlight for experienced surfers. Monday morning is the standout: a clean 2.1m WNW swell with 12-second period, glassy offshores, and the wave energy is strong (1439). That's the session for the advanced crew – powerful, clean waves at Otter Rock. If you're a beginner, this one's too big. Crowds are possible here on a good day, and this is a good day.

So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly flat and messy, but Thursday afternoon the 17th and Monday morning the 28th of September are the two standout windows. Thursday the 17th is your smaller, cleaner option, and the 28th is the big, clean groundswell for those who can handle it. Keep an eye on the forecast for that second week – it's a bit further out, so the timing might shift, but the potential is there.

Stay stoked.
Rusty

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