Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Well, lookin’ at this stretch, it’s a bit of a slow burn. We’ve got consistent offshore winds, which is a win, but the swell’s real shy for the first week. The water’s a chilly 50°, which is a wild 6° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a proper kick in the guts, so you’ll be wanting a thick steamer.

We kick off on Thursday, 9th July, but honestly, it’s a no-go. A little 3ft WNW swell, period around 10 seconds, but with weak energy (138) and the description says “poor surf conditions.” The wind’s a fresh offshore, which is clean, but the waves just aren’t there. This same pattern of small, ordinary surf sticks through the weekend. Friday, 10th July, gives us a 3ft to 3ft swell with moderate energy (218) and clean offshore winds, but it’s “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” Saturday, 11th July, is the first glimmer – the swell bumps up to 5ft from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the energy climbs to 368. By Saturday afternoon, the energy hits 444 and the surf is described as “good.” Still, at 5ft, it’s a small, fun size for a log, but nothing to write home about. Sunday, 12th July, drops back down to poor surf with 4ft and fresh offshore winds.

The real wait is for Wednesday, 15th July. Wednesday morning sees a 4ft WNW swell, 10-second period, with moderate energy (425) and clean offshore winds, rated as “good surf conditions.” That afternoon, the period jumps to a very long 20 seconds on a 2ft WNW swell, giving a massive energy reading of 554. That’s groundswell, and it’ll be clean and lined up, but tiny. The real standout starts to build on the 17th of July. Friday, 17th July, shows a 3ft WNW swell with a very long 17-second period, moderate offshore winds, and “very good surf conditions” with energy at 1187. That’s the one to aim for. The wind is gentle offshore, so it’ll be glassy. The break is at Port Orford, which is sheltered and inconsistent, so it’s a spot that rarely fires – but when it does, it’s a treat. The wave size is small, but that long period means it’ll wrap in and offer some real quality. The crowd factor is “often,” so expect a few other keen locals on it.

Saturday, 18th July, keeps the stoke going with a 3ft WNW swell, 16-second period, and light cross-offshore winds in the morning, giving clean waves and energy at 1153. Saturday afternoon gets a bit chunkier, with a 7ft NNW swell, 8-second period, and moderate offshore winds, energy at 1299. That’s a short-period swell, so it’ll be a bit lumpier, but still good if you’re in the right spot.

Then we get a run of bigger, but messier, swell from Sunday, 19th July, through Monday, 20th July. Sunday morning has a 8ft NNW swell, 8-second period, with fresh offshore winds and a “marginal” rating, despite the energy at 1237. That’s expert territory at over 8ft, and the short period will make it a washing machine. Monday, 20th July, is a bit better: 10ft NNW swell, 8-second period, but with moderate offshore winds and a “very good” rating, energy at 1323. That’s big, powerful, and only for the experienced crew. The short period and that size at a beach break (Port Orford is a beach-and-reef setup) might make it more interesting for the kite surfers, honestly.

From Tuesday, 21st July, the energy drops. The 6ft NNW swell, 8-second period, with cross-offshore winds, is just “good” at best. The rest of the week into the 24th is a mix of small, poor surf, or marginal conditions with strong offshore winds that make it hard to paddle into. The 23rd and 24th have some size (7ft to 8ft), but the period is short (6-7 seconds), and the wind is fresh offshore, which is clean but the waves will be choppy and weak.

The best on offer is Friday, 17th July, at Port Orford. The 3ft groundswell from the WNW, with a 17-second period, gentle offshore wind, and very good conditions, is a true standout for a rarely breaking spot. It’s not a big day, but it’ll be quality. The runner-up is Saturday, 18th July, with the 3ft swell and 16-second period in the morning, or the 7ft short-period swell in the afternoon for the chargers.

Rusty.

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