Surf Forecasts:
Pismo Beach Pier surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 804 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pismo Beach Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Pismo Beach Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pismo Beach Pier in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pismo Beach Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, it's Rusty. Let's talk Pismo Beach Pier in feet and miles per hour. The next couple weeks ain't exactly firing, but there's one day that'll make you glad you dragged the board out.
We start off with a flat spell through the end of August and into early September. Swell's tiny—2 to 3 feet—mostly from the SW or SSW, with periods around 12 to 15 seconds. Winds are cross or cross-onshore, chopping it up. Wave energy's moderate, bouncing around 200 to 650 range. Water's about 61°F, normal for this time of year.
Then Sunday, September 6 rolls in. Morning and afternoon turn glassy—winds go calm or a light NW breeze at 3 mph. Swell holds around 3 to 4 feet from the SSW, 14-second period, with combined energy in the 540 to 620 range—clean and lined up. This is the standout: small, clean, perfect for a longboard ride. The pier's consistent, even if the swell direction isn't dead-on optimum (they like WNW), but you'll get smooth, rideable waves.
Now September 8—that's a beast. Morning already hits 6 feet SSW with energy over 1400, but it's marginal. Then afternoon goes massive: 16 feet from the same direction, energy over 10,000. That's a monster groundswell, but the report says it's way too big for Pismo. Unless you're an expert charging huge waves, stay out.
The following week—September 9 to 14—brings 2 to 8 feet of mixed swell, mostly from the SW or WNW, with cross-on winds and moderate energy. The 13th and 14th have some 6 to 8 feet of WNW swell, but with a short 9-second period, it's messy and not worth the paddle.
So mark your calendar for September 6. That's the cleanest, most inviting session in the whole window. Everything else is a gamble. Stay tuned, but that's the call from me.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WNW 5 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 370 | 355 | 301 | 297 | 229 | 212 | 140 | 114 | 111 | 95 | 94 | 197 | 133 | 318 | 383 | 487 | 454 | 432 | 406 | 471 | 382 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 12:05PM1.89m | 00:14AM1.71m | 12:34PM1.95m | 1:08AM1.54m | 1:08PM1.98m | 2:19AM1.38m | 1:51PM2.00m | 4:03AM1.28m | 2:48PM2.00m | 6:17AM1.30m | 4:01PM2.01m | 7:38AM1.39m | 5:22PM2.05m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:17PM0.70m | 6:10AM0.71m | 7:10PM0.65m | 6:37AM0.87m | 8:12PM0.61m | 7:07AM1.01m | 9:28PM0.57m | 7:44AM1.15m | 10:54PM0.50m | 8:50AM1.26m | 00:12AM0.39m | 10:45AM1.31m | 1:15AM0.27m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 370 | 355 | 144 | 118 | 229 | 212 | 140 | 114 | 75 | 52 | 54 | 197 | 113 | 318 | 180 | 487 | 454 | 302 | 406 | 471 | 158 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | 301 | 297 | 18 | 50 | 37 | 35 | 111 | 95 | 85 | 72 | 115 | 109 | 383 | 68 | 63 | 432 | 55 | 52 | 382 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | S 9 | W 11 | SW 20 | SW 19 | WSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 10 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | SW 19 | W 18 | SSW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 10 | SW 11 | NW 10 |
| kJ | 3 | 6 | 2 | 15 | 14 | 36 | 50 | 50 | 31 | 60 | 94 | 33 | 133 | 6 | 60 | 47 | 51 | 91 | 24 | 55 | 50 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | — |
| kJ | 220 | 249 | 237 | — | 99 | 27 | 48 | 47 | 10 | 3 | 77 | 41 | 26 | 160 | 323 | 59 | 163 | — | 105 | 140 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 109 | 136 | 9 | 81 | 109 | 0 | 80 | 89 | 0 | 9 | 136 | 9 | 89 | 136 | 0 | 235 | 109 | 0 | 79 | 80 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Luis Obispo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Pismo Beach Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Pismo Beach Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pismo Beach Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pismo Beach Pier surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Pismo Beach Pier) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Pismo Beach Pier may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a vacation in San Luis Obispo? If you are looking for accommodation near Pismo Beach Pier, camping, hotels and condos and appartments in San Luis Obispo, consider staying in Arroyo Grande which is 5 km (3 miles) away. Other places in and around San Luis Obispo where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Port San Luis which is 11 km (7 miles) away, San Luis Obispo, Nipomo and Santa Maria.
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