Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Port Orford over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak start. The water is a frigid 51°F which is much colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a full 7°F colder than average, so you’ll be needing the thickest wetsuit you’ve got, and maybe a hood. The first few days are a write-off with weak, small swell and poor conditions.

We don’t really see anything worth getting wet for until the morning of Monday the 24th of August. That morning, we’ve got a clean 6ft swell from the NNW, with a short period of 7 seconds, and a moderate offshore wind from the north at 16 mph. The combined energy is moderate (598). It’s clean, but the short period means it’ll be a bit weak and lumpy. The afternoon drops right off to a tiny 2ft long-period groundswell from the SW, but the wind stays offshore, so it’s clean but gutless.

The next few days are a real drag. The 25th through the 28th of August are all small, weak swells, mostly under 2ft, with fresh offshore winds keeping them clean but empty. There’s just no power behind them. The combined energy drops into the low hundreds and even below 100 on the 28th afternoon. It’s a long, flat spell.

Things start to look a bit more interesting on the 29th of August. The morning brings a 5ft NNW swell, but it’s a short period of 6 seconds, and the power is moderate (415). It’s a bit of a junky, bumpy wave. The 30th of August is probably the best bet of the early window. The morning and afternoon both have 6ft to 6ft NNW swell, still short period at 7 seconds, but the wind is a light cross-offshore from the NW and NNW at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (346 and 377). It’s clean and surfable, but the short period will keep it from being truly special. This spot is advanced and inconsistent, and it’s often crowded, so you’ll have company.

Monday the 31st of August sees a bit more size at 6ft from the NNW, but with a light cross-onshore wind from the SW, it’ll be a bit messy. The combined energy is moderate (519), but the wind direction is not ideal.

Then, look out for Thursday the 3rd of September. The afternoon has a serious pulse of energy – a 6ft swell from the WNW with a very long period of 15 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 1371. The wind is a fresh offshore from the north at 22 mph. This is a proper groundswell, and it’s going to be firing. The only catch is that it’s an advanced spot, and with a long period swell at a sheltered break, the sets will be very clean and powerful. It’s the standout of the whole forecast, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty

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