Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cookin’ at Pismo Beach Pier over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be real with you – the surf is pretty flat and uninspiring for the first few days. We’re looking at a long, slow start. The first proper surf recommendation doesn’t roll in until the morning of Sunday, August 2nd, so you’ve got a few days of small, weak, cross-onshore junk to sit through. The water temp is sitting at 60°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don't forget the booties if you're paddling out.

Come Sunday August 2nd, we finally see a little bump. The morning brings a 6 ft swell from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds, pushing moderate wave energy (542). It's still a cross-on wind, so it won't be pristine, but it’s the biggest, most energetic we’ve seen. The afternoon fades a touch to 5 ft, and the wind picks up a bit, getting a little choppier. This is the best on offer, but it’s still a marginal call.

After that, things just dribble away. The rest of the first week and into the second week is a real struggle. From Monday August 3rd through to Saturday August 9th, we’re stuck with weak 3 ft to 4 ft swells, mostly cross-on, with poor to marginal surf conditions. The combined energy dips way down, with readings like 194 and 187. It’s just not worth paddling out for anything more than a log.

Looking further out, the end of the second week (from August 11th onward) gets interesting, but not in a good way for a beach break. We get some long-period groundswell energy rolling in from the SW, with periods hitting 14, 16, even 18 seconds. That sounds great, but at a beach break like Pismo Pier, that long-period stuff can be a bit too straight and fat. The swell heights are tiny too, only 1 ft to 2 ft. The energy is moderate (like 402 to 428) but it’s just not going to translate to much rideable face. Still, if you’re a beginner or on a longboard, you might find a few little lines on the morning of August 11th or 12th.

Honestly, for a stand-out session, Sunday August 2nd morning is your only real shot. It’s the biggest and most consistent. Everything else is a case of wait and see. For a spot that’s usually pretty consistent, this is a rough run. Forecasts can change, but right now, keep your expectations low.

Rusty.

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