Pismo Beach Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about what’s doing on at Pismo Beach Pier for the next couple of weeks.

First thing you gotta know: this is a spot for the advanced crew only – it’s a consistent, exposed beach break, and it’s one of those places where you’ve gotta earn your waves. The water temperature is sittin’ at 62°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

Now, I’m gonna be real with you – the first week is a tough slog. Starting Saturday the 29th into the first week of September, we’ve got small swell, mostly around 2 ft to 3 ft, coming from the SW and SSW. The period is OK at times, around 13-17 seconds, which gives you some long lines, but the wind is all wrong. It’s cross, cross-on, or just onshore most of the time, so the surface is chop city. The energy is weak to moderate, with readings like 172 to 755 – it just doesn’t have any push. There’s a period from Saturday morning the 29th all the way through to Sunday afternoon the 6th of September where you’re lookin’ at poor to marginal conditions. You’d be paddling for nothing. That’s a solid 9-day stretch of flat or ugly conditions. Crowds are still possible here, but honestly, who’s gonna be out in this mess?

But hold on. Monday the 7th of September is where it gets interesting. The morning session is the standout – glassy conditions, no wind to speak of, and the swell bumps up to 6 ft out of the WNW. The period is short, only 8 seconds, so it’s gonna be a bit fat and crumbly, but it’s clean. The energy is strong at 764. The afternoon that day drops to 5 ft and gets a light cross-on wind, so that morning window is the one to aim for. This is the best of the whole run, no question.

After that, it falls back apart. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are poor or marginal again with onshore and cross-shore winds. Thursday the 10th is similar. Then Friday the 11th afternoon, there’s a pulse of 7 ft WNW swell, but with a period of only 6 seconds – that’s short period windswell, and it’s gonna be messy and closed out at this beach. Not for anyone but the guys with big balls and no sense of self-preservation. The next day, Saturday the 12th, sees 6 ft WNW swell with an 8-second period under light onshore wind, which is marginal but at least rideable for the bold. Sunday the 13th has 4 ft WNW swell with a 9-second period, but again it’s a cross-on wind.

Honestly, the only day that’s a true standout is the morning of Monday the 7th of September. Get on it early, keep your eyes open for the crowds – they’re possible here – and enjoy the glassy, head-high-plus waves. That’s your window.

Rusty.

Read more