Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Rusty here – let’s talk swell for your local stretch.

Right now, the opening is looking pretty lackluster. The first few days are thin, then some long-period groundswell pushes through but it’s rarely paired with the right wind. Water temp sits at 61°F – basically average for the season, nothing wild.

Pismo Beach Pier is the only break in the mix. On Thursday, August 27th, morning has a weak waist-high swell from the WNW at 4ft with a short 8-second period and only 264 combined energy. Wind is light onshore from the SW at 3 mph – messy and crumbly. It’s a consistent spot, so there’ll be waves, but they’re small and tired.

Friday the 28th morning sees the swell drop to 2ft, but the period jumps to 19 seconds with combined energy of 495 – that’s some long-period groundswell arriving. Wind is cross-shore from the NW at 12 mph, bringing some chop. Afternoon is similar – 2ft, same 19-second period, 428 energy, wind easing to 9 mph but still cross-shore. That kind of groundswell over a beach break can run a bit straight, so it’s not a classic.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th stay in the 3ft range from the SW, period coming down from 17 to 15 seconds, combined energy still decent (795 down to 628). Cross-shore NW wind at 12 mph keeps a consistent rumple – rideable but not glassy.

Through the start of September, swell sinks to 2ft–3ft, period drops below 14 seconds, and energy falls to as low as 163 on Tuesday afternoon. Wind flips cross-onshore, getting choppy.

The one standout to pencil in is Thursday, September 3rd. Morning brings 4ft from the SSW at 14 seconds with 666 combined energy – solid moderate push. Wind is light cross-onshore from the W at 6 mph with only small ripples, so the surface is the cleanest we see. Crowds are possible at this consistent spot. Afternoon holds at 4ft, 13-second period, 767 energy, but the wind picks to a gentle cross-onshore that dulls it a bit. Still your best shot.

After that, Friday the 4th through Monday the 7th offers 3ft–3ft from the SW, periods 14–17 seconds, energy between 277 and 656, but always with cross-shore or cross-onshore wind. The second week goes weak: Tuesday the 8th to Friday the 11th, swell sits at 2ft–3ft, combined energy mostly under 440, with cross-onshore breeze and choppy afternoons. There’s a gap of several days here with no real standout action – just marginal or poor conditions.

Sum it up: lock in Thursday morning, September 3rd, for the best chance at clean lines – chest-high SSW groundswell with light wind. That’s your session.

Rusty.

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