Point Loma Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Point Loma’s looking at a pretty flat, drawn-out stretch of small, mushy south swell for the next week or so. We’ve got a solid foundation of clean, glassy mornings and light offshore breezes, but the wave heights are just plain tiny. It’s the kind of surf that has you checking the cam twice and then deciding to grab a coffee instead. Don’t get me wrong, the water’s a balmy 73° with a strong south in it, which is a couple degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s not a total write-off if you just want a paddle.

Sunday the 16th kicks off with a clean 3ft on the face, but it’s all a bit weak. The combined energy is only 367, which is moderate at best, and the 14-second period is decent but there’s just not enough push behind it. Monday and Tuesday drop even further, down to 3ft and 2ft, with the swell holding that southwest direction and the wind staying light offshore. It’s all surfable, but you’ll be scratching for the occasional head-high set if you can find a bank that wants to do anything with it.

The real story for the first week is the consistency of the conditions: clear skies, light winds, and clean faces, but with wave heights hovering between 2ft and 3ft, it’s really only a longboard or a high-volume fish that’s going to have any fun. The period does get long – up to 18-19 seconds by the 22nd and 23rd – which is classic groundswell, but for a setup like this that’s a mix of beach and reef, that long period can actually make it break a little too straight. We’re looking at a lot of shut-downs unless you know the exact spot.

There’s a bit of a lull on the 21st, where the wind goes more cross and conditions get a little rippled, and the 23rd brings a chance of a shower on the back of a moderate breeze. Still small though. The energy numbers hover in that 200-400 range, telling you there’s just no real grunt in the water.

Then we get to the tail end of the forecast, and things start to look a little more interesting. Saturday the 29th is the standout. The morning is still clean, but it’s the afternoon that has my attention. Swell ticks up to 3ft from the southwest, the period is a solid 16 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 424. That’s still not big, but it’s the most organized it’s looked in two weeks. The wind stays light and clean out of the WSW, and the whole thing should set up nicely on the reef. For Point Loma, that’s about as good as it gets on this run. It’s still not a day for beginners – the swell’s under 5ft so it’s not dangerous, but the energy’s there and the take-off zone will be a bit more critical. This is a promising, but not locked-in, call for next Saturday.

The 30th holds similar size, with 3ft again, but the period drops back to 15 seconds and the wind, while still offshore, is a touch stronger. It’ll still be fun, but the Saturday afternoon window looks like the pick of the week.

So, the long and short of it: the next week is all about groveling and enjoying the warm water. The last weekend of August into the 31st is where you might actually get a real wave, but it’s still on the small side. If you’ve got a step-up board, leave it at home, but if you’re patient and want a clean shoulder or two, the 29th is your day. Crowds are possible, so get out there for the afternoon session and you might just have a decent one.

Rusty

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