Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey everyone, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s ahead at Pismo Beach Pier over the next couple weeks. The start is pretty flat and choppy, but there are a few windows worth paddling out for.

Water temp is 60°, which is right around average for this time of year – nothing unusual.

Sunday, July 5th kicks off with a tiny 2 ft swell from the southwest, but that 18-second period is a real long-period groundswell. Problem is the wind is cross-onshore at 9 mph, making it choppy and just poor. Not worth it.

Monday, July 6th through Tuesday, July 7th – same story: small waves (2-3 ft), cross-onshore winds, and choppy conditions. Combined wave energy is picking up but quality is still poor. Skip it.

Wednesday, July 8th – now we’ve got something. Morning has 3 ft from the southwest at 16 seconds, still cross-shore and marginal. The afternoon jumps to 8 ft from the west-northwest with a short 8-second period. That’s powerful – combined energy hits 1266 (strong) – but 8 ft is expert-only, and the wind is still cross-shore. It’ll be a beast but messy; kite surfers might have a better time.

Thursday, July 9th keeps the size up – 7-8 ft from the west-northwest, 8-9 second period, cross-shore winds. Energy stays strong (1005-1131). Expert-only and not the cleanest.

Friday, July 10th backs off to 5-5 ft, still west-northwest, with light 6 mph cross-onshore winds. Better conditions but still marginal. Energy down to 538-702. More manageable for intermediate surfers, but not a standout.

Saturday, July 11th through Monday, July 13th – back to small weak surf (2-3 ft) with long periods (13-15 seconds). Wind is light, sometimes even offshore on the mornings (WSW 3-6 mph). Combined energy is low (292-426). At a beach break, those long-period waves will be slow and straight – fine for a longboard but nothing special.

Tuesday, July 14th brings a new pulse – 5-6 ft west-northwest swell with a short 8-second period. Energy moderate (518-705). Wind is cross-shore, still marginal.

Wednesday, July 15th – this is the highlight of the first week. Morning sees 7 ft from the west-northwest, 8 seconds, with a gentle cross-shore breeze. Combined energy 731 (moderate). Afternoon bumps to 7 ft, energy 843. This is the most consistent size we’ve seen and the cross-shore isn’t too rough. It’s expert-level size, but if you’ve got the skills, Wednesday afternoon is your best bet.

Thursday, July 16th stays big – 6-7 ft, west-northwest, 8 seconds. But the wind turns cross-onshore, making it choppy and poor in the morning, marginal in the afternoon. Not as good.

Friday, July 17th through Sunday, July 19th – swell drops back to 2-2 ft, but check out those periods – 16-18 seconds! That’s proper groundswell, very long period. Combined energy is moderate (544-749). Wind is light (6 mph) and cross-onshore or even offshore at times. At a beach break, that ultra-long period will peel slow and straight, but for a patient longboarder, Saturday, July 18th morning has gentle cross-shore winds and clean conditions – could be a sneaky good session.

Monday, July 20th wraps it up with 4-5 ft from the west-northwest, short 7-8 second period, and cross-onshore winds. Not much to get excited about.

Best on offer? For the experts, Wednesday, July 15th afternoon has the most power (7 ft) and moderate energy (843). For everyone else, I’d go for Saturday, July 18th morning – small (2 ft) but with that super long 16-second period and gentle cross-shore winds. Clean, consistent, and uncrowded if you get out early.

Stay stoked, and remember – forecasts can change.

- Rusty

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