Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s shaping up for Port Orford.

Straight up, this ain't a classic stretch. The first proper window is a few days out, but we’ve got hints of some clean, long-period groundswell that could make it worth the wait for the locals. The water is a chilly 52°, which is over 5° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit; it’s an unusual cold snap.

The first real chance to get wet comes on Saturday morning, July 18th. We’re looking at a clean 3ft swell out of the WNW with a very long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and the energy is moderate (706). The wind is offshore and fresh at 30 km/h, which will keep the faces clean, but that long period can make it a bit straight off the beach—best suited for the points or reefs around here. It’s a marginal call, but it’s a start.

Sunday morning, July 19th, brings a jump in size to about 8ft from the NNW, but the period drops to a short 7 seconds. That’s a lot of windswell, and with a combined energy reading over 1000 (1052), it’s got plenty of grunt, but it’s going to be lumpy and likely too big for beginners. The wind is offshore and clean, but the surf quality is still just marginal.

Monday, July 20th, is a bit of a sweet spot. Morning sees a 7ft NNW swell with an 8-second period, and the wind is a moderate offshore from the NNW. The energy is moderate (640). The afternoon drops to 6ft from the NW with gentle offshore wind. This is surfable, decent, and the best of the early run.

Tuesday July 21st through Thursday July 23rd is a stretch of small, ordinary waves. Heights hover around 4ft to 5ft, mostly from the NW, with a mix of cross-offshore and offshore winds. Nothing to get excited about. Thursday afternoon picks up a little to 6ft from the NNW with a 9-second period and moderate offshore wind, which is okay, but not the standout.

Friday July 24th is interesting. The morning is a solid 6ft from the NNW, but the real oddity comes in the afternoon: a 3ft swell from the SW with a very long 24-second period. That’s a massive period, and the energy is strong (1393). This is the kind of long-period groundswell that will wrap around and find the points better than the beach. It’s a marginal call but has potential.

Now, here’s where we get to the best on offer. Saturday morning, July 25th, shows a 3ft swell from the SW with a 21-second period and a combined energy of 1106. The wind is a moderate offshore from the NNW. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a long-period, clean groundswell that should offer some lined-up, powerful waves despite the size. Sunday morning, July 26th, is very similar: 4ft from the SW, 19-second period, strong energy (1236), and moderate offshore wind. “Very good surf conditions” again. These two mornings are the true standouts of the entire 16-day window. The long period means it will be best at the reefs and points, with clean, long walls.

After that, the surf drops off. Monday July 27th through Wednesday July 30th is a mix of small, marginal, and poor conditions. Thursday July 30th morning has a 3ft from the SW with a 16-second period, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h offshore, making it choppy and hard to enjoy.

The last days of July and into August are a flat spell. Friday July 31st afternoon has a strong offshore breeze at 40 km/h, and the swell is tiny. By August 1st, the swell is nearly gone with a 0.3ft reading. There’s a pulse of 6ft from the NNW on the afternoon of the 1st, but it’s short period and poor. August 2nd has a 7ft to 8ft N swell with a 7-second period, which is likely just a messy, blown-out mess for experts only, if anyone.

So, to wrap it up: the first few days are a slow grind, but the Saturday morning July 25th and Sunday morning July 26th are the ones to circle on the calendar. Long-period SW groundswell, clean offshore winds, and good energy. The rest of the run is a mix of small, short-period, or poor conditions. Keep your expectations in check.

Rusty.

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