Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’m looking down the next 16 days for Pismo Beach Pier. Honestly, there’s not a whole lot to get fired up about. We’ve got a long stretch of days where the surf is either marginal or downright poor, and no standout session that’s going to blow your mind. But there are a few moments where the swell and conditions line up for something rideable.

For the whole run, the wind is mostly light or gentle breezes from the SW, WSW, W, or WNW, which keeps things fairly clean but not glassy. The swell is often cross-onshore or just onshore, so not ideal. Most of the time the wave energy is moderate, with combined energy values in the hundreds (554, 820, 823, 1158) but the quality just isn’t there. The water temperature is about 59.9°F – that’s pretty normal for this time of year, so a wetsuit is your mate.

Friday the 17th sees a pulse of 4.6ft to 4.9ft swell from the WNW with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is light from the SW in the morning, then a touch cross-onshore in the afternoon. The combined energy is 554 in the morning and 820 in the afternoon – moderate energy, but the short period means it’ll be a bit fat and soft. It’s a beach break, so with a short period and cross-onshore wind, it’s not going to be pretty. Only go if you’re desperate.

From Saturday the 18th to Sunday the 19th, the swell drops right down to 2.0ft – 2.6ft from the SW or WSW with a long period of 17–18 seconds. The wind is light, onshore or cross-onshore. The energy is low (400–573). Long-period groundswell at a beach break tends to break too straight, but the small size makes it more about paddling than riding. Not worth the effort.

Monday the 20th picks up a bit, with 4.3ft from the SSW at 14 seconds in the morning and 13 seconds in the afternoon, energy at 823 dropping to 778. Wind is light and cross-onshore. Still a bit meh, but if you’re really keen to get wet, the morning could be okay.

Tuesday the 21st is where I’d say forget it. The swell jumps to 6.2ft from the SSW at 12 seconds, with moderate cross-onshore wind at 12 mph. Energy hits 1158 – moderate to strong – but the wind makes it choppy and messy. The forecast says poor surf conditions. Not your day.

Wednesday 22nd through Friday 24th is all small stuff, 2.0ft to 5.6ft, mostly with short period or long period from the SW or SSW, and wind is cross or cross-onshore. Energy is moderate (417–632). The larger 5.6ft on Thursday the 23rd afternoon has a short period of 7 seconds, so it’ll be messy and weak. Nothing to get excited about.

A little blip on Friday the 24th – a very long period of 24 seconds from the SW, but the height is only 2.0ft–2.3ft. Combined energy is high (749–914) but the swell is tiny. That’s like having a big engine with no fuel. The period suggests it’s a groundswell, but at that size it’s more for the sets, if they even show.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th both have 2.6ft to 3.0ft from the SW at long periods (18–21 seconds). Energy is moderate to strong (990–1323). Still, the small size and cross-onshore wind mean it’s a lot of effort for little reward. The sets might be tidy but don’t expect to be blown away.

From Monday the 27th through Wednesday the 29th, the swell holds around 3.0ft to 3.6ft from the SW with periods of 18–19 seconds, energy moderate to strong (1035–1519). Wednesday the 29th morning shows 6.9ft from the WNW at 8 seconds, energy at 1506 – that’s a moderate to strong pulse but the period is short and it’s cross-onshore. Over 8.2ft is for experts only, but 6.9ft from the WNW with a short period at a beach break will be messy and pretty average. Only an advanced surfer would have any fun, and even then, it’s not great.

Thursday the 30th drops back to 3.0ft–4.6ft from the SW or WNW with periods of 9–15 seconds. Energy is moderate (615–758). Still cross-onshore, still marginal.

The final days – Friday the 31st of July through Saturday the 1st of August – are a poor way to finish. Swell drops to 1.6ft–2.6ft from the SW or SSW at 13 seconds, energy low (163–308), and the wind is cross-onshore. Not worth paddling out.

So there’s no

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