Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here.

Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks at Port Orford are a mixed bag, and you’re gonna have to pick your moments. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there are a couple of genuine windows where it all comes together. The first real standout is a couple of weeks out, so keep that in mind. There’s a dry spell right at the beginning, but things pick up.

Right now, we’re looking at Friday the 11th morning with a clean 3ft SW swell rolling in at a solid 16 seconds. This is proper groundswell energy, with a combined energy reading of 873, which is moderate but punchy. The wind is light offshore from the N at 12 mph, so it’s going to be glassy and lined up. This is about as good as it gets for the first day, but the afternoon drops off quick – the swell jumps to 5ft but the period drops to 9 seconds, and it just gets a bit junky.

The water temp is sitting at 54°, and that anomaly of -3° means it’s running a bit colder than usual for this time of year. So bring the hood, mate.

Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are a write-off for surf. The wind swings onshore and it’s messy. We’re looking at poor conditions and lumpy, weak waves. You’d be better off doing something else. There’s a brief window on Sunday afternoon with a clean 3ft W swell, but it’s short-period and not worth the paddle.

Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are more of the same, with onshore winds picking up and the swell turning into short-period windslop. It’s not going to be pretty.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday the 16th morning and afternoon look decent. We’ve got a rising 6ft to 6ft swell from the NNW, but the period is only 7 seconds. That’s a short-period, wind-driven swell, and it’s going to be a bit crumbly and messy. It’s not ideal, but there’s enough push in it to get a few. However, with swell that size and short period, it’s going to be a bit challenging for the beginners, and with it being over 5ft, it’s more of a big-wave session.

The 17th and 18th see the swell back off and the winds go light. The 18th afternoon looks interesting – a glassy 2ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period. This is a clean, long-period groundswell, but it’s small. It’ll be rippable but not much else.

The next good period is the 21st through the 23rd. We have a consistent run of 3ft SW swells, with periods around 16-17 seconds. The winds are offshore and light to moderate. The energy is moderate (we’re looking at readings in the 400-700 range), and it’s consistent. These are the days to get a few clean, lined-up waves. It’s not big, but it’s quality.

Now for the real standout. Friday the 25th is the day to circle on the calendar. The morning sees a 6ft WNW groundswell with a 12-second period and light offshore winds. The afternoon is even better – the swell eases to 5ft, but the energy is pumping. We’re looking at a combined energy reading of 1114, which is strong, and the same 12-second period. The wind is a moderate offshore N breeze. This is the pick of the fortnight. It’s got size, it’s got power, and it’s clean.

Saturday the 26th looks a bit more ordinary, with the swell dropping back and the period shortening. Still surfable, but not the same quality. And that’s a wrap for the window.

Remember, the first week is a write-off. The 11th morning is your only real chance early. The last week, from the 21st to the 23rd, is solid, and Friday the 25th is the standout. Get on it.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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