Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.

We start off slow, but the first real surf hits Wednesday, September 9th, at Port Orford. It’s clean with a light offshore breeze from the NNW, keeping things glassy. Swell is about 5 ft from the NNW with a short period of 7 seconds, so it’s more of a windswell. The combined energy is moderate (488). Water temp is 57°F, which is about 1°F cooler than average, so nothing wild, just a bit nippy. This is a good size for learners, but the spot is inconsistent and sheltered, so don’t expect waves every set. The wind picks up to 16 mph in the afternoon, still offshore, but it’ll be a bit more work.

Thursday, September 10th, brings a change. The swell drops to 3 ft, but the direction swings to the SW and the period jumps to 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The energy is building (830), and it’s clean with offshore wind, but the size is small. Watch the tide. Friday, September 11th, is the pick of the first week. The morning has 3 ft SW swell at 16 seconds, and by the afternoon it’s 4 ft with the same long period, and the combined energy hits 1007 – that’s a strong push. The wind stays offshore from the N at 16 mph. The waves will have good shape, but that long period can make beach breaks a bit too straight, so look for a reef or point. This is the standout for the early days.

Saturday, September 12th, is a dud. Southerly winds, onshore, with rain. The swell is there but the quality is poor. Sunday, September 13th, cleans up nicely with a morning offshore breeze and a 4 ft NW swell at 9 seconds, but the energy is moderate (735). The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 5 ft but the tide might mess with it.

Monday, September 14th, is similar: 5 ft from the NNW, offshore, but the period is short at 7-8 seconds. It’s surfable and clean. The next few days through to Wednesday, September 16th, drop right off in size, with 1 ft to 2 ft swells. The energy is low (143-273). You might snag a tiny ride, but it’s very ordinary.

From Thursday, September 17th, through to Friday, September 18th, it’s a no-go. Cross-onshore winds from the SSW, poor conditions, and tiny swell. Not worth paddling out.

Saturday, September 19th, we start to see a glimmer. The wind turns offshore again, and the swell is small but clean with 2 ft to 2 ft from the SW at 18-19 seconds. The energy is building back up (293-381). Sunday, September 20th, is the next real standout. Light wind, clean conditions, and 3 ft SW swell at 18-19 seconds. The energy is moderate (406-450). It’s not big, but it will be clean and fun. The best of the second week is shaping up for Tuesday, September 22nd and Thursday, September 24th. Tuesday brings 5 ft from the NW at 11 seconds in the morning, with gentle offshore wind and energy at 956. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 4 ft from the WNW. But Thursday, September 24th, is the absolute standout of the entire outlook. The morning has 6 ft from the WNW at 13 seconds, and the combined energy is 2352 – that’s a very strong push. The wind is gentle offshore from the N. This is excellent for experienced surfers. At 6 ft, it’s getting into the “too big for beginners” zone, and the long period makes it powerful. Best for those who know what they’re doing. The afternoon is still very good at 6 ft with 1851 energy.

So, to wrap it up: the first week has a few clean, small windows, with Friday, September 11th afternoon being the best early call. The second week starts slow, but Sunday, September 20th is a nice clean option, and Thursday, September 24th is the big one – a proper, powerful groundswell with clean conditions. Keep an eye on that one.

Rusty.

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