Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what we’ve got for the Port Orford stretch over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a tough start.

First up, the water is sitting at 56°F – that’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the extra rubber.

We’re looking at a real slow burner for the first few days. From Monday the 31st of August right through the first week of September, the surf is just not happening. Onshore winds, weak swell, and generally poor conditions. There’s a little bump on Wednesday the 2nd with a very long period groundswell (18-19 seconds) but it’s only 2 ft and being smashed by strong southerly winds. That’s a pass.

The first real glimpse of something decent comes on Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning is a write-off, but by the afternoon the swell picks up to 7 ft from the NW with a moderate energy level (1668). The wind is light cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s a step up. Still, the guidance says conditions are marginal.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are frustrating. The swell is there – 8 ft on Friday morning, 4 ft on Saturday – but the wind is all over the place. We get a bit of a clean-up on Saturday afternoon though. The wind shifts to a light cross-offshore from the NNW, waves are 4 ft from the WNW, and the energy is low (230). It’s surfable, but very ordinary.

Sunday the 6th of September is where we start to see a hint of life. The morning is small at 4 ft, clean, with light cross-offshore wind. By the afternoon, the wind goes fully offshore from the north at 9 mph, and the waves hold at 4 ft. The energy is weak (171), but the conditions are clean. Not a standout, but a solid session if you’re keen.

Monday the 7th keeps it going with clean, offshore conditions in the afternoon – 4 ft from the NNW and a moderate offshore breeze at 12 mph. The break is a bit inconsistent, and crowds are often an issue here, so you might have some company.

Now, the real standout window is Thursday the 10th of September. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the WNW with a strong energy level (1144), and the wind is fresh offshore from the north at 19 mph. The period is a solid 11 seconds, which is good for this sheltered spot. This is the cleanest, punchiest day on the whole forecast. If you can only pick one day, this is it. The waves are a bit big for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, it’s going to be a good one.

After that, the surf drops off again. Saturday the 12th of September sees a bigger swell – 7 ft from the NW with a very long period of 12 seconds and a very strong energy reading (2150). But the wind is light cross-onshore, and the conditions are described as marginal. The period is long, so it might be a bit too straight for the beach breaks here, but the point might hold. It’s promising but less certain this far out.

The final few days go a bit messy again with onshore winds and rain. Tuesday the 15th of September has a small, clean window in the afternoon with 4 ft from the NNW and a gentle offshore breeze, but it’s a weak finish.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a write-off. The best bet is Thursday the 10th of September for clean, offshore conditions and a solid swell. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are your backup days for a small, clean wave. The rest is a waiting game. Keep an eye on the long-range for the 12th, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Read more