Point Reyes Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Point Reyes Beach.

Right now, the surf is pretty flat and messy for the first few days. We’ve got a small window of clean waves early Tuesday morning, August 4th, but it’s nothing to write home about. The real story starts to build towards the end of the first week and into the second.

Tuesday, August 4th kicks off with a 4ft WNW swell, period around 8 seconds. That’s a short-period, wind-driven swell, not much grunt. Combined energy is weak (323). The south wind is cross-offshore, keeping things clean, but the wave quality is just okay. It’s a beginner-level wave, and the crowds can show up here sometimes. It’s exposed to the swell, and the direction is off the optimum (WSW), so the shape will be a bit average.

The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.

We then hit a long, dead stretch. From Tuesday afternoon right through to the end of Sunday, August 9th, the forecast is a write-off. Onshore winds, short-period junk, and a lot of poor surf conditions. Saturday the 8th sees a 5ft NW swell but with a nasty 7-second period and onshore wind – total chop.

Then things get interesting. Monday, August 10th is a transitional day: 6ft WNW swell, period 9 seconds, light cross-onshore wind. It’s marginal, but the swell energy is ramping up (619).

The standout window is Tuesday morning, August 11th, into Wednesday morning, August 12th. On Tuesday morning, we get a clean 6ft WNW swell (9 second period) with a light cross-offshore wind from the SSW. Combined energy is strong (661). The forecast says expect very good surf conditions. This is the best on offer. The waves will have some punch without being too heavy for solid intermediates. Wednesday morning is similar: 6ft WNW, 9 seconds, but with a glassy cross-offshore wind from the SW and even higher energy (698). That’s top-shelf Point Reyes right there.

After that, Thursday morning, August 13th, holds a 4ft WNW swell with a longer 12-second period. This is a nice groundswell, clean with a cross-off breeze. The added period means better shape and more energy (653), but longer waits between sets. It’s a solid choice.

Friday morning, August 14th offers a smaller, glassy 3ft WNW swell (11 seconds). Glassy conditions are rare and precious – it’ll be smooth as a lake, perfect for a longboard or a funboard.

From there, the second week fades. Saturday and Sunday (Aug 15-16) are blown out with strong NW winds and long-period SW groundswells that won’t set up well here. The rest of the forecast sees onshore winds and small, weak swells. Not worth paddling out.

For the beginner surfer, stick to the smaller, cleaner days around Friday the 14th. Anything over 5ft here, like the 7ft on Sunday the 9th or Tuesday afternoon the 11th, is going to be too much for a learner. In that 6ft range on the 11th and 12th, it’s more suited to experienced surfers.

Best bet: Without a doubt, Tuesday morning, August 11th and Wednesday morning, August 12th. Clean, solid WNW swell, light offshore winds, and a strong energy reading. That’s the real deal. Get out there early.

Rusty.

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