Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's be real about what's on offer for our stretch of coast. It's looking like a long, slow grind before anything really stands out.

First things first, the water is absolutely frigid – we're talking about 50°F – which feels a good 8°F colder than it should be for August. You're gonna need a serious suit if you even think about paddling out.

The whole first part of the week is a bust. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are flat and blown clean out by strong north winds. Don't even bother checking the cam.

We get a few pulses later in the week, but nothing to write home about. From Wednesday the 19th through Friday the 21st, there's a tiny 2ft to 3ft swell from the WNW. The energy is weak to moderate, and the reports keep calling it ordinary. The wind is offshore or cross-off, which is nice, but the waves just aren't there to work with. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd see a spike in height up to 8ft from the NNW, but the period is a weak, choppy 7 seconds, and the wind is strong again. That combo is just a blown-out mess, better suited for a kite than a surfboard.

Now, here's the one to wait for. We have to hold out until Tuesday the 25th of August. The morning looks clean with a small 2ft swell from the SW, but the real story is the period. That's a groundswell with a very long 17 seconds between waves. The energy is solid (404 in the morning). The wind is a light cross-off, so it'll be glassy. At Port Orford, a spot that's known for being inconsistent and sheltered, this is a big deal. That long-period energy will wrap in nicely if the direction is spot on.

Wednesday the 26th follows through with the same idea – moderate offshore winds and even more energy (523 and 484). The Tuesday and Wednesday stand out as the only real shot for a clean, lined-up wave with some push. Just keep in mind that crowds at Port Orford are a regular thing, so you won't be the only one with that idea.

After that, from Thursday the 27th onward, it's back to small, wind-blown slop and fresh northerlies. The energy drops and the quality goes with it.

In a shell: the first week is a no-go. The one clear window is the morning of Tuesday the 25th and the morning of Wednesday the 26th. A long-period SW groundswell with light winds. It's a long way out, so it’s a "wait and see," but it's the best bet on the board. Everything else is a tough paddle for nothing.

Stay patient.

Rusty.

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