Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for our local stretch over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’re looking at a long run of small, ordinary surf with a few windows where things might just come together. Don’t expect any fireworks, but there are a couple of sessions worth paddling out for if you’re keen.

The first real chance to get wet is Sunday morning, August 23rd at Port Orford. It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s rideable. The swell is a weak 4 ft from the NW, with a short period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is a moderate 164. The wind is a moderate offshore breeze, so the face will be clean, but the waves are going to be a bit weak and unorganized. It’s a “surfable but ordinary” kind of day.

Monday the 24th is where things get interesting. The morning is clean with a tiny 2 ft SW groundswell, but the period is a very long 18 seconds. That’s a lot of energy for a small wave, and the combined energy is a solid 446. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, so it’s clean. The afternoon is the real standout: glassy conditions, 2 ft from the SW, and that same long 18-second period. The combined energy is still strong at 404. This is the pick of the first week. The water temperature is about average for the time of year. For a break that’s often inconsistent, catching a glassy session on a long-period groundswell is a real treat. Just be aware, crowds are often around here, so get out early.

From Tuesday the 25th through the end of August, it’s a bit of a write-off. The wind swings onshore or cross-onshore, the swell drops, and the energy fades away. We’re looking at a gap of several days with nothing really worth chasing.

Things might perk up again around Tuesday, September 1st. The morning brings a 4 ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period. The wind is a gentle offshore, so it’s clean. The combined energy is 268, which is moderate. The afternoon bumps up to 5 ft, still from the WNW, with a 9-second period, and the energy climbs to 393. It’s still “surfable but ordinary,” but it’s a step up.

Wednesday, September 2nd is the other standout in this forecast. The morning has 5 ft from the WNW (9 secs), with a moderate offshore wind. The combined energy is a solid 485. The afternoon is similar, with 4 ft and 449 energy. The models are calling for “good surf conditions” here. This is for the experts, though, as the swell is pushing 5 ft.

After that, it gets messy. The wind picks up hard from the north, and the swell gets jumbled and short-period. By Sunday, September 6th, the wind is howling at 22 mph, and we’re looking at a 7 ft windswell. That’s too big for beginners and, with that short period, it’s really only for the brave, or the kite surfers. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during that weekend.

So, to sum it up: the best bets are Monday afternoon, August 24th, for clean, glassy small waves, and Wednesday, September 2nd, for a bit more size and power. Everything else is a gamble.

Stay patient, keep your eyes on the horizon, and I’ll see you out there.

Rusty.

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