Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's comin' our way for the next couple of weeks.

The first few days are looking like a write-off for any decent paddle-surfing, with the swell dropping off a cliff after Monday. We’ve got a long gap of small, weak surf that’s really only worth a look if you’re desperate or on a SUP. But hold onto your boards, because the second Sunday, the 27th of September, is our standout window – a real shot of energy to close out the run.

The best of the best is at Pismo Beach Pier. The week starts with the best wave heights on offer, around 6ft from the WNW on Monday morning, backed by moderate combined swell energy (844). It’s not perfect – a bit of cross-chop – but it’s the biggest and most rideable we see for a while. The water is sittin’ at 63°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no weird surprises there.

By Tuesday the 15th, it’s already dropping into the 5ft range, and the wind turns a bit tricky. Then from Wednesday the 16th right through until the morning of the 27th, the swell just peters out into a long, frustrating lull. We’re talking wave heights barely hitting 2ft to 3ft with short-period, weak energy readings in the hundreds. Mostly cross-onshore breezes, a little chop – just not the kind of stuff that gets the heart pumping. This stretch is about a week and a half of really marginal surf.

Then, bam – on Sunday morning the 27th, the ocean wakes up. We see a solid 7ft swell from the WNW roll in, with strong combined energy pushing 1185. The wind is light and cross-onshore which will knock the top off a bit, but this is the biggest pulse of the whole run. It’ll be a bit too much grunt for beginners at over 7ft, but you experienced folks should definitely get your eyes on it. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and not as clean as a longer-interval groundswell, but the size is real.

That pulse carries into Monday the 28th with 6ft waves and lighter winds in the morning, plus a bit of that WNW cross-shore later. Tuesday the 29th still has some 6ft leftovers but the wind picks up, making it choppier.

This is a spot where the swell picks up from the WNW, which is right in the sweet spot for the pier. The crowds can be a thing here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

For the week in between? Honestly, the small, weak swell and frequent choppy cross-shore winds make the water look more interesting for a kite session than trying to fight for a crumbly little wave on a paddle board.

That’s the picture from here.

Stay stoked.
Rusty

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