Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s be straight with you – Port Orford’s looking at a pretty tough stretch ahead. There are waves on offer through the whole 16 days, but the quality is mostly marginal or poor. The real standout comes late in the forecast, so you’ll need some patience.

Right now, Sunday the 2nd into the start of the week, there’s swell in the water – around 8ft from the NNW with a short period of 9 seconds – so it’s lumpy and disorganised. The wind is howling out of the north at 25 mph, strong offshore, which keeps the surface clean and glassy, but it’s a battle to paddle into. The combined energy is moderate at best (1002). Water temp is sitting at a chilly 55°, about a degree colder than normal for this time of year – so you’ll want a hood or a thick suit.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th keep that north wind pumping at 22 mph, with consistent 7 to 10ft swell (mostly NNW), but the period stays short, around 7 to 8 seconds. That means choppy, crumbly waves. The energy is moderate (669–903), but the surf quality is poor or marginal across the board. Wednesday the 5th eases off a little – wind drops to 12–16 mph, still offshore, and swell backs down to 6ft from the NW on the afternoon. That session looks actually decent: moderate offshore breeze, clean lines, and combined energy around 451 (moderate). It’s the best of the first week. Thursday morning the 6th also offers 5ft NNW swell with moderate offshore wind (418 energy), but it falls apart in the afternoon and stays poor all through the following days.

Friday the 7th sees a tiny 2ft long-period swell from the SW (13 seconds, energy just 83) in the afternoon – weak and not worth the paddle. Saturday the 8th through to Monday the 10th brings back 6 to 8ft NNW swell, but the wind is fresh to strong offshore (19–25 mph) and the period remains short (6–8 seconds). Surf quality is consistently zero. These are not paddle-friendly conditions – it’s more interesting for a kite surfer if you’re into that.

Tuesday the 11th to Thursday the 13th shows borderline marginal conditions: 8 to 8ft NNW swell, period 8 seconds, fresh offshore winds. The energy climbs to moderate (798–1139). The Wednesday afternoon the 12th and Thursday morning the 13th are the only points where it could clean up into something rideable, but don’t expect magic.

Now, for the true standout. Saturday the 16th morning – that’s the one. A 5ft swell from the west with a very long period of 16 seconds (groundswell, energy a solid 1744). Wind is a moderate 12 mph offshore out of the north. That’s clean, lined-up, and powerful. This is a long-period groundswell, so it’ll be best on the points and reefs around here – Port Orford’s a sheltered NW spot, so keep in mind that west swell might wrap in a bit differently. Still, it’s the best on offer. The afternoon holds at 5ft from the west, 15 seconds, with moderate offshore breeze (energy 1150) – still very solid.

Monday the 17th drops off to 4 to 5ft west swell, long period (12–13 seconds), but the wind picks back up to 22 mph in the afternoon, so the morning is the session of choice.

Crowds at Port Orford are listed as “often” present, so expect company, especially on the cleaner days.

Signing off, Rusty.

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