Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's on the cards for your local stretch.

To be straight with you, it's a bit of a mixed bag over the coming weeks, with a fair bit of ordinary conditions to wade through before things start looking interesting. There's a real gap in quality action, so patience will be key.

We start off at Port Orford. The water temp is sitting at 53°, which is a good 4° colder than what's normal for this time of year. That’s a noticeable chill, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit if you’re brave enough to paddle out this week.

This first week is pretty grim. Sunday the 13th through to the following Thursday is mostly a write-off. The swell’s around with some energy, but there’s onshore winds and poor conditions making a mess of things. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th have some offshore wind from the north, but the swell is short period (7-8 seconds), weak, and not properly holding its shape. It’s surfable in a pinch, but it’s nothing to write home about.

Now, there’s a change around Friday the 18th. A longer period groundswell (20 seconds) starts showing from the SW, with a clean, offshore wind from the NNW. This is a true standout for the forecast. The swell height is small, around 2ft to 2ft, but that period is dialled in. It’ll be clean, lined up, and a real treat for the logging or a grovel board.

Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th hold similar vibes: clean offshore winds, small but long-period SW swells. Keep in mind Port Orford is inconsistent and sheltered from the NW optimum, so a SW swell is working outside its ideal direction. It might not show everywhere, but the spots that pick it up will be fun. Crowds are likely here often, and with conditions this clean, expect company.

After that, there’s another quiet spell for a few days, with minor swells and moderate to fresh offshore breezes. Nothing that gets the heart racing.

Then we look to the 23rd of September. A fresh WNW swell rolls in with a 12-second period and strong energy. The problem is, on Wednesday the 23rd, the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so it’ll be messy. It’s not a complete washout, but you’d have to pick the tide and hope for a lull.

The real standout for the whole 16-day window, though, is the 27th and 28th of September. We’ve got a northwest swell building. On Sunday morning the 27th, it’s a clean 7ft from the NNW with a moderate offshore breeze. That’s a solid, punchy wave for the more experienced crew—over 5ft, so it’s pushing beyond beginner territory.

Then Sunday afternoon and Monday the 28th, a very long period NW groundswell (14-13 seconds) kicks in, with the energy jumping significantly. These sets will have serious push. The waves are in the 5ft to 5ft range, so still manageable for strong intermediate to expert surfers. The wind is offshore, so the waves should hold a nice shape. Mind you, a long-period NW swell at Port Orford means it’s best on the reefs and points, as a beach break might see those sets closing out. Expect some hefty, clean lines. This is the best bet across the whole outlook.

To wrap it up: battle through a grim first week for a few small, clean days around the 18th, then keep your eyes locked on the 27th and 28th for the real deal. Forecasts change, but that run looks promising.

Rusty.

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