Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the Oregon coast.

We’re looking at a pretty tough stretch ahead. Right now, there’s no surf worth paddling out for. The first few days are a write-off, with a persistent cross-onshore wind messing up the small, long-period SW groundswell. It’s clean enough for a walk on the beach, not for a surf. We’re looking at four days of poor conditions straight off the bat.

The swell does start to pick up as we head into the first week of August, but the wind stays stubbornly on it. The wave energy is building – by Wednesday the 5th we’re seeing moderate to strong energy (716 combined energy) – but the wind is cross-onshore, making it all a bit of a washing machine. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

Now, we do have a glimmer of hope. The morning of Thursday the 6th of August, we finally get a proper onshore wind at Otter Rock. It’s a point break, and with a 7ft NW swell and a 9-second period, the energy is strong (852 combined energy). It’s still not perfect, but it’s the first day where the wind is straight onshore, which can actually groom a point break. The wave energy is significant, but at 7ft, it’s pushing into the "experts only" zone. For a beginner spot like Otter Rock, it’s going to be a handful.

The real standout is the morning of Saturday the 8th of August. The swell is hitting 8ft from the NW with a 10-second period. The combined energy is up at a very strong 1318. The wind is a light cross-onshore breeze, which keeps the surface from getting too messy. This is big, powerful groundswell for a point break. It’s going to be a heavy, walled-up beast. Only for the experts. The crowds at Otter Rock can be an issue, so expect a lineup.

After that, it drops off quickly. The 9th is still rideable, but the energy fades through the second week, with the wind switching back to a more annoying cross-onshore direction. The 14th of August shows a long-period groundswell from the SW, but it’s only 2ft and the wind is cross-shore, so it’s a miss.

So, to sum it up: the first four days are a total loss. The best bet is the morning of Saturday the 8th of August for a big, powerful, expert-only session at Otter Rock. The 6th is a possible backup if you’re desperate. The rest of the 16 days is a gamble with poor wind and fading swell.

Stay patient, get your gear waxed, and wait for that Saturday morning window.

Rusty.

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