Surf Forecasts:
Pismo Beach Pier surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, WNW swell with 476 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with SW 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pismo Beach Pier in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pismo Beach Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s take a peek at the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with ya, the first stretch is pretty flat and messy. We’re gonna have to earn it.
The first few days are a bit of a bust, honestly. We’ve got light cross-onshore breezes and only tiny, weak bumps from the SW. Water temp is about average for the time of year, no surprises there.
It’s not until Tuesday the 18th that we see a little life. Pismo Beach Pier is gonna get a bit of a bump, with a 6ft swell from the WNW, but it’s a short, 8-second wind swell (moderate energy of 965). The cross-onshore wind is light, so it’ll be a little choppy, but it’s the first real chance to get wet. Just don’t expect perfect waves.
We cruise through a few more days of small, grovelly surf after that. The light winds stick around, but there’s just no push.
Now, the real treasure is a long way out, but it’s worth the wait. Lookin’ at Tuesday the 25th, we start seein’ a proper groundswell fill in. The combined energy jumps right up to 1282 (strong energy) with a 3ft swell from the SSW and a 17-second period. That’s a real, long-period groundswell, which means pristine, lined-up waves. The cross-onshore wind is still light, which is gonna keep ‘em clean. This pulse hangs around for a few days, with the energy building even higher on the 26th and 27th.
But the big dog shows up on Saturday the 29th. We’re talkin’ a 10ft swell from the WNW. Now, at that size (over 8ft), this is for the big boys only. The combined energy is a monstrous 1928, which is all kinds of power. The winds are cross-shore, which is alright, but the main thing is this spot is gonna get pounded. It’s likely to be a total mess, and the guidance flat-out says it might be too big for this break. For everyone else, the smaller SSW groundswell earlier in the week is your best bet.
So, in short, sleep in for the first week. There’s a brief window of average waves around the 20th and 21st, but the real gold looks like it’ll be the SSW groundswell from the 25th and the bomb cyclone on the weekend of the 29th and 30th. Get after it for the groomed lines mid-week if you can.
Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 312 | 318 | 376 | 421 | 344 | 305 | 350 | 255 | 251 | 311 | 423 | 362 | 402 | 269 | 248 | 232 | 196 | 306 | 209 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:55PM2.00m | 12:53PM1.91m | 00:47AM1.78m | 1:28PM1.93m | 1:44AM1.56m | 2:05PM1.92m | 2:56AM1.38m | 2:46PM1.89m | 4:40AM1.27m | 3:36PM1.85m | 7:02AM1.28m | 4:36PM1.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:26AM0.40m | 6:54PM0.75m | 6:59AM0.60m | 7:53PM0.74m | 7:29AM0.80m | 9:00PM0.73m | 8:00AM0.99m | 10:17PM0.72m | 8:32AM1.14m | 11:38PM0.67m | 9:21AM1.26m | 00:48AM0.59m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 14 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 23 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 312 | 318 | 376 | 421 | 344 | 305 | 350 | 255 | 251 | 311 | 277 | 179 | 402 | 147 | 118 | 232 | 196 | 193 | 209 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WNW 7 | SW 13 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | S 9 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 160 | 41 | 87 | 27 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 248 | 206 | 84 | 245 | 269 | 248 | 171 | 167 | 167 | 80 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | SW 13 | S 10 | WNW 11 | SW 10 | S 10 | W 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 9 | SW 13 | W 14 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 21 | 111 | 17 | 22 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 59 | 4 | 21 | 37 | 59 | 78 | 74 | 107 | 164 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | WNW 5 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 11 | — | 21 | — | 24 | 26 | 42 | 62 | 131 | — | 423 | 362 | — | — | — | — | — | 306 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 340 | 109 | 0 | 109 | 89 | 9 | 81 | 108 | 0 | 109 | 109 | 0 | 79 | 109 | 0 | 79 | 80 | 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.
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