Pelican Watch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. The outlook for Pelican Watch across the next 16 days is about as flat as a pancake. We’ve got a big ol’ gap of zero action stretching from now all the way through to the end.

Water temp’s at 81° – dead average for the time of year. But that’s the only thing that’s normal around here.

Starting off this Friday, September 11th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft swell coming out of the southeast, with a cross-off breeze. The water’s clean, but the energy is a weak 26. That sets the tone. Saturday and Sunday offer the same 2ft, with the period stretching into the 9–10 second range, but the cross-off wind keeps it from being a total washout. Still, with energy in the 30s, you’re looking at knee-high dribble.

Monday the 14th starts glassy – dead calm with a morning wind from the NNW at just 3 mph. That’s the best wind we see, but the swell is a pathetic 1ft from the ESE. Not enough to even knock a crab off a rock.

Tuesday the 15th brings a jump in combined energy to 143 (moderate), with 4ft from the ENE. But it’s a gutless 6-second period, and the wind is a moderate cross-onshore creating chop. This pattern of lumpy, choppy, or onshore wind sticks around for days. The swell hangs in the 3–4ft range through Thursday the 17th, but it’s always cursed with either short periods or messy wind.

Monday, September 21st offers a light cross-shore breeze with 5ft of ENE groundswell – moderate energy at 184. But the period is just 6 seconds, so it’s going to be a fat, gutless mess. Finally, on Tuesday the 22nd, we get a clean cross-off wind from the NNW – a real rarity. Swell sits at 5–5ft from the east with moderate energy. But it’s still poor surf conditions, and that 7-second period means it’s not going to hold a face.

The rest of the run into Saturday the 26th shows the combined energy climbing into the 200s, even hitting 297 – that’s strong to very strong wave energy. But it’s all onshore or cross-onshore with fresh breezes and that lousy 8–9 second period. There are a couple of clean windows, but the "poor surf" label never leaves.

Honestly, Pelican Watch can pump with the right wind, but this forecast is a total bust. The swell and winds just never line up. For the whole 16-day run, there isn’t a single standout. If you’re dying to get wet, the kite gear might be the only way to use some of that bigger, wind-hacked swell. For a surfer with a paddle? Nothing doin’.

Rusty.

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