Surf Forecasts:
Pismo Beach Pier surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with 651 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with WNW 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 1.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pismo Beach Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, it's a frustrating start. The surf is basically a no-go for the first few days. From Saturday the 22nd right through to the end of the month, we're looking at a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions. The swell is weak, the wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, and it's just not worth paddling out. There's a bit of energy showing on the 24th, but it's a long-period 14-second SSW swell that's just too weak and messy to do anything with. Honestly, it's a bit of a write-off until we get closer to September.
Now, if you're willing to wait, there is a standout window. On Thursday afternoon, the 3rd of September, things get interesting at Pismo Beach Pier. The forecast is showing a solid 10ft WNW swell – that's a lot of power. The wind is light and cross-onshore at 6 mph, which will keep it fairly clean. However, this is a big one. At 10ft, this is strictly for experienced surfers only. It's going to be a powerful, heavy day, and not a place for the faint-hearted. The water temperature is sitting around 62°F, which is pretty average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
In the days following that big pulse, from the 4th of September onwards, we see a shift. The swell drops back down but the energy stays high. Friday the 4th has a long-period 19-second SSW swell pushing through. It's still a bit of a marginal call, but that long period will bring some nice, lined-up waves, especially on the better tides. The wind stays light, which is a bonus. This is the kind of window where you want to be watching the sandbanks closely – it could clean up into something really fun for the more experienced crew.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a total dud. Don't bother. Your best bet is to pencil in the 3rd of September for the big, expert-only swell, and then keep an eye on the days immediately after for some cleaner, long-period groundswell. The long-range stuff is promising, but it's a long way out, so don't get your hopes up too high just yet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Thu morning, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | NW 7 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SW 19 | WNW 8 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 88 | 125 | 208 | 111 | 81 | 138 | 186 | 143 | 175 | 132 | 140 | 293 | 258 | 507 | 512 | 258 | 242 | 383 | 287 | 302 | 607 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:03AM1.42m | 6:40PM1.90m | 9:28AM1.47m | 7:29PM1.97m | 9:49AM1.51m | 8:12PM2.04m | 10:10AM1.56m | 8:51PM2.09m | 10:32AM1.61m | 9:29PM2.10m | 10:53AM1.68m | 10:06PM2.06m | 11:15AM1.75m | 10:45PM1.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:25PM1.32m | 2:25AM0.42m | 1:23PM1.27m | 3:00AM0.35m | 2:08PM1.20m | 3:32AM0.30m | 2:48PM1.12m | 4:00AM0.28m | 3:27PM1.03m | 4:28AM0.30m | 4:06PM0.94m | 4:54AM0.35m | 4:47PM0.85m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 30 | 29 | 23 | 32 | 31 | 24 | 30 | 28 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 27 | 26 | 20 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | WNW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 59 | 125 | 208 | 111 | 66 | 62 | 186 | 143 | 56 | 98 | 98 | 168 | 258 | 507 | 167 | 258 | 189 | 383 | 287 | 248 | 412 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 35 | 39 | 82 | 60 | 81 | 138 | 154 | 82 | 175 | 132 | 127 | 124 | 47 | 64 | 512 | 102 | 102 | 116 | 78 | 71 | 607 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | W 16 | SSW 12 | W 14 | W 13 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 10 |
| kJ | 77 | 104 | 37 | 93 | 50 | 113 | 12 | 56 | 99 | 10 | 20 | 57 | 35 | 55 | 104 | 92 | 52 | 147 | 44 | 61 | 49 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 88 | — | — | — | 78 | — | 64 | 46 | — | 78 | 140 | 293 | 124 | 216 | — | 139 | 242 | — | 245 | 302 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 235 | 109 | 0 | 235 | 109 | 0 | 109 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 136 | 0 | 39 | 89 | 0 | 39 | 81 | 0 | 9 | 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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