Point Mugu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple of weeks around Point Mugu.

You know, it’s a bit of a slow dance to start. For the next few days, the ocean’s just not giving us much to work with. We’re looking at small, weak pulses of swell and a fair bit of cross-offshore wind. It’s clean, but the energy is just too low to get excited about, with combined swell energy barely cracking 180 (182) on Thursday the 20th. The water is sitting at 70°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 6°F above average, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.

The real fun looks to start building around Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th. That’s when things start to get more interesting. We get a proper pick-up in south swell, with combined energy jumping up to 281 on Monday morning, and then hitting 316 by Tuesday afternoon. Swell heights will be in the 2ft range, coming from the S and SW, with periods around 14 to 16 seconds. That long period means proper groundswell energy, good shape, and some decent gaps between sets, making it easier to get out the back. Winds are light and cross-offshore, which will keep the faces clean – a major positive for a break like this.

The standout stretch, though, kicks in from Wednesday the 26th and carries right through to the weekend of the 30th of August. Wednesday morning sees a jump to 4ft from the S, with combined energy hitting 535, but the wind is a bit cross-shore, making it a touch bumpy. The real treat is Wednesday afternoon and then especially Thursday the 27th through Saturday the 29th. On Thursday the 27th morning, we have 4ft from the SSW, 14-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and combined energy of 613. That’s your best window. Saturday the 29th afternoon is also a solid bet, with 3ft from the SSW, clean cross-offshore breeze, and energy peaking at 620. These will be the best waves on offer. The swell direction from the SSW is right in the pocket for Point Mugu’s optimum swell direction from the SW. Swell sizes stay manageable, mostly under 5ft, so it’s good for intermediate surfers, and the consistent, clean conditions are a big draw.

Keep in mind, Point Mugu does get crowds sometimes, so if you can sneak out for a Thursday morning session, you’ll have a better chance of getting some waves to yourself. The long-period south swells we’re seeing – up to 19 seconds on the 28th – can sometimes make the wave a bit straight at beach breaks, but here at a point setup, they’ll wrap in nicely.

After that weekend into the first few days of September, things start to fade. The energy drops off and the winds become less favorable, going onshore or cross-onshore by the 2nd of September. There is a final little tease on the 3rd of September, Thursday morning, with glassy conditions and a very long-period 21-second SSW groundswell, but it’s only 2ft. The energy is there (456), but the height is minimal, making it a session for the longboard or a single-fin.

So, to wrap it up: the next few days are a write-off. The window from Monday the 24th of August through to Sunday the 30th is your target. If you have to pick one solid bet, Thursday the 27th of August morning is your standout – clean, waist-to-chest high glassy lines with solid energy. Get on it.

Rusty.

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