Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Port Orford is cookin' up for the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a slow start, but there are some flickers of hope if you're patient.

We’re looking at a pretty drawn-out run of small, clean but weak surf for the first week or so. The water temp here is a chilly 50°F, which is a whopping 8°F colder than normal for this time of year. That’s a seriously unusual cold snap, so you’ll want the thickest wetsuit you own and maybe some booties. The north winds are blowing, keeping things tidy, but the swell is just not there.

The first real chance to wet a line comes on Wednesday, August 19th. It's still small, with a 3ft swell from the WNW, but the combined energy (410) is starting to show some life. That 12-second period gives it a bit of push, but the score is still low – it’s more of a "get the cobwebs out" session than anything to get excited about. Thursday the 20th is much the same story with a 3ft WNW swell.

Friday the 21st through Sunday the 23rd sees the swell bump up in size, but the period drops right off to just 7 seconds. That’s short-period windswell, which means weak, bumpy lines. The combined energy (243 to 437) is moderate, but the quality just isn't there for a good paddle surf. On Sunday the 23rd, the swell hits 7ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon from the NNW, but it’s still that short 7-second period and the wind is a fresh 30-35 km/h offshore. It'll be a bumpy, choppy mess. That big, short-period swell with strong offshore wind actually makes this setup look more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for the afternoon.

Now, listen up, because Monday, August 24th is the real standout in this outlook. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the NNW with a 6-second period. I know, the period is short, but the offshore breeze is a moderate 20 km/h and the combined energy is a solid 508. The forecast is calling for "good surf conditions" and the score backs it up. This is your best bet for a proper session with some punchy, if a bit crumbly, waves. Just be aware, this is an advanced, inconsistent break that's sheltered from the NW, and crowds are "often" – so expect some company if you paddle out at Port Orford (Port-Orford).

The following day, Tuesday, August 25th, offers a completely different flavor. The swell drops right back to 2ft, but look at that period – a gorgeous 17 seconds from the SW! This is proper long-period groundswell. The energy (467) is still moderate, but the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. This is a rare treat for a spot that is "inconsistent" and "rarely breaks". This setup is best for the reefs and points, not the beach. If you can find a corner that picks up that long SW pulse, it could be a magic, uncrowded session.

The rest of the forecast into the first week of September is a mix of tiny surf and fresh offshore winds. Wednesday, August 26th has another pulse of that 2ft, 16-second SW groundswell, with moderate offshore winds in the afternoon. Then it gets small and weak again through the 27th to the 31st, with fresh 30 km/h winds. There's a little bump in energy on Tuesday, September 1st, with a 2ft WNW swell and 14-second period (421 energy) and moderate offshore winds – worth a look if you’re desperate.

So, the takeaway: Get on it Monday, August 24th for the best all-round waves. If you’re a connoisseur of long-period groundswell and you know your spot, keep an eye on Tuesday, August 25th and Wednesday, August 26th for a chance at something special, but don't expect much size.

Rusty.

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