Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk it out in feet and miles per hour — Rusty style.

Port Orford’s outlook starts slow. Real slow. A lot of tiny, weak, short-period stuff for days. The one real standout isn’t until the 6th and 7th of September. Here’s how it runs.

Sunday the 23rd of August: morning has a clean 4ft swell from the NW at 8 seconds with a moderate offshore wind at 12 mph. Wave energy is moderate (147). It’s surfable but nothing special. Afternoon jumps to 5ft from the NNW at 7 seconds, wind picks up to 19 mph offshore, energy moderate (484). Better size but messy. Just a session for getting wet.

Monday the 24th: morning is glassy — zero wind — with 2ft of swell from the SW but at an incredible 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. Combined energy is strong (430). Tiny, yes, but if you’ve got a longboard those little peelers will be silky smooth. Afternoon is cross-on, dead.

Tuesday 25th through Wednesday 26th: small weak swell under 3ft, onshore or cross-onshore winds. Not worth the gas.

Thursday the 27th afternoon: finally a decent pulse — 4ft from the WNW at 9 seconds, clean offshore wind from the NNW at 9 mph. Combined energy moderate (409). Clean and rideable.

Friday the 28th: 3 to 4ft from the WNW and NW, 8-second period, moderate offshore wind (12-16 mph). Clean but small.

Saturday the 29th: morning has 2ft of SW swell at 14 seconds, clean offshore wind. Combined energy moderate (234). Small but long-period — you might catch one or two.

Then the drop off. From Sunday the 30th to Saturday the 5th of September, it’s tiny (1ft to 3ft) with short periods and moderate to fresh offshore winds (12 to 22 mph). Wave energy is weak (35 to 69) to moderate (up to 291). Conditions are poor according to the forecast. Honestly, if there’s any wind, the only fun to be had might be on a kite. This stretch is a blank.

Now Sunday the 6th of September: morning hits with 6ft from the WNW at 11 seconds, glassy conditions, and strong wave energy (863). That’s clean, solid, and no wind — the whole package. Afternoon pumps up: 8ft from the NW at 12 seconds, light offshore breeze from the NNW (6 mph), and very strong energy (1438). That’s the best of the month right there. 8ft is big — only for experienced surfers — but it’s lined up with the optimum NW direction for this spot and the wind is off. Expect long, powerful sets.

Monday the 7th keeps the swell at 6 to 6ft from the NW, but wind is up to 16-19 mph offshore. Wave energy still very strong (862 to 703). Good size, but it’ll be bumpier and tide-sensitive. Only for the strong.

Water temp is 12°C, which is about 53°F — that’s nearly 5°F colder than normal. Definitely a 5/4 wetsuit and booties situation.

Crowds can show up when the surf’s on, but after that long flat spell, not many will be expecting it.

The call: Wait for the 6th of September. Morning glass or afternoon power — that’s the day.

Rusty.

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