Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at the next couple of weeks for the Otter Rock area. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, and there’s a long stretch of so-so conditions before we see a few windows that might get you out of bed.

The water temp is sitting around 57°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—so you’ll want that extra rubber if you’re paddling out at Otter Rock.

We kick off on Sunday, August 30th, with a small SW swell at 2ft, a 16-second period, and light cross-on wind. Combined energy is moderate (409). It’s marginal, but there’s a little pulse. Monday morning looks similar, but the swell drops slightly. The real story is a long gap of weak surf: from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday, September 2nd, conditions are pretty dismal—cross-shore winds, lumpy chop, and a stormy 8ft SSW swell on Wednesday afternoon with a short 8-second period and strong energy (1151) that’s raw and messy. That’s not for paddle surfing; that’s more kite-surfing territory.

The first thing that stands out is Friday, September 4th. We get a clean window: Friday morning sees a 6ft WNW swell with a 10-second period, light cross-off breeze, and clean conditions. Then Friday afternoon turns glassy with a 5ft WNW swell and zero wind. That’s your best bet—clean, manageable, and the swell direction matches Otter Rock’s optimum W exposure. The combined energy is moderate (873 and 792), so it’s not a monster, but it’s surfable and fun.

After that, we slide back into marginal surf through the weekend and into the next week—small SW swells, cross-on winds, and low energy. There’s a notable event on Wednesday, September 9th, when a 7ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and massive energy (1736) rolls in, but the wind is moderate cross-shore, so it’s chop city. Not the cleanest.

Looking further out, Thursday, September 10th, morning brings a 8ft SSW swell with a short 8-second period and moderate energy (1050), but it’s cross-on and choppy. The afternoon shows a tiny 2ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, but it’s marginal. The real standout in the second week is Monday, September 14th: morning has a 5ft NW swell with a 7-second period, light cross-off breeze, and clean conditions. The combined energy is low (343), but the wind is offshore and the surf is clean. That’s a promising little session if you’re keen.

Overall, the best on offer is Friday, September 4th—both morning and afternoon. That glassy afternoon is the kind of session you remember. The Monday the 14th is a solid second option, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Rusty out.

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