
Surf Forecasts:
Pismo Beach Pier surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with 312 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pismo Beach Pier in the next 16 days are 0.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pismo Beach Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Grim start to this forecast window, folks. We’re looking at a whole lot of small, messy, onshore slop for the next couple of weeks. The only real glimmer of hope is that last morning, and even then, it’s gonna be a small, clean wave for the crew who can read the beach.
First up, the only show in town is Pismo Beach Pier. Water temp is sitting at 60°F, which is about average for this time of year, so a touch cool but nothing wild. The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday afternoon is tiny 3ft with a short 9-second period and light cross-onshore breeze. It’s just bumpy and weak. Wednesday through Friday are even worse – we're talking 1ft to 2ft of short-period junk. The energy is weak, mostly in the 117 to 294 range, which tells you there’s nothing behind it. Don’t bother.
The weekend and into the start of next week – that’s the 9th through the 12th – the swell bumps up a bit, maybe 3ft to 4ft from the WNW, but the period is still short, around 9-10 seconds. It’s more energy, with values climbing to 427 and 480, but it’s still crossed-up and light. It’s a “maybe if you’re desperate” kind of surf. The 10th and 11th have some clean-ish windows with light onshore wind, but nothing that’s going to get your heart racing.
Then we hit a flat spell. From the 13th through the 18th, it drops back down to 2ft to 3ft, mostly from the SW with some longer period (15-19 seconds), but the energy is all over the place and the breeze is cross-on. It’s poor surf, plain and simple. The long periods are there, but with that size and wind, it’s just not coming together.
The one standout is the morning of Wednesday the 19th. It's still small, 2ft from the SW, with a 15-second period. But the wind goes glassy. That’s the only window in the whole 16 days with truly clean conditions. Energy is moderate at 369. This is the one to keep an eye on if you’re a log or a longboarder, paddling out at first light. The afternoon blows out again though. It’s a one-morning wonder, and it’s a week and a half away, so don’t hold your breath – but it’s the only real option.
Beyond that, it’s a long, dry run. The consistency is poor, which is pretty normal for this stretch. But we all know this place – it tends not to stay this flat for long. Forecasts can change. Keep the board waxed, but be ready to do something else with your time for a while.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
127 | 125 | 59 | 51 | 96 | 80 | 104 | 106 | 183 | 181 | 243 | 246 | 173 | 258 | 181 | 225 | 281 | 264 | 226 | 151 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:43PM1.89m | 3:28AM1.30m | 3:30PM1.96m | 5:29AM1.23m | 4:27PM2.03m | 7:26AM1.28m | 5:33PM2.12m | 8:35AM1.38m | 6:38PM2.22m | 9:20AM1.47m | 7:39PM2.32m | 9:58AM1.56m | 8:35PM2.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:47PM0.80m | 8:25AM0.97m | 11:11PM0.66m | 9:11AM1.10m | 00:28AM0.48m | 10:26AM1.20m | 1:31AM0.30m | 11:57AM1.24m | 2:25AM0.14m | 1:14PM1.20m | 3:13AM0.02m | 2:19PM1.12m | 3:57AM-0.03m | |||||||
— | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 22 | 22 | 16 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 20 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
127 | 80 | 59 | 50 | 96 | 80 | 104 | 106 | 83 | 181 | 243 | 246 | 173 | 258 | 30 | 225 | 281 | 264 | 226 | 151 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 20 | WNW 8 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
57 | 125 | 51 | 51 | 32 | 23 | 61 | 41 | 183 | 80 | 82 | 49 | 26 | 42 | 181 | 171 | 169 | 151 | 120 | 116 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WNW 10 | NW 9 | W 18 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | SW 12 | SW 12 | NW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 |
56 | 9 | 33 | 35 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 81 | 28 | 24 | 23 | 7 | 69 | 51 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 62 | 134 | 133 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 70 | — | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 109 | 0 | 79 | 155 | 9 | 79 | 109 | 0 | 64 | 109 | 0 | 69 | 109 | 0 | 93 | 79 | 0 | 28 | 79 | 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.











