Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s look at what’s coming up here at Port Orford. The first few days are a total washout. Friday the 21st through Saturday the 22nd are flat and messy, with a light cross-onshore wind and barely a bump. Not worth getting wet for.

The real action starts to build on Sunday the 23rd. We’ve got a pulse of swell coming in, but it’s short period, only 8 seconds, and it’s a bit raw. The morning sees 4ft from the NW with a clean offshore breeze – that’s the first real chance to get a surf. The energy is building though, with a combined energy of 169 (moderate). By Sunday afternoon, the wind picks up strong from the north at 30 km/h, and the swell jumps to 5ft, but the period drops to 7 seconds, so it’s a bit lumpy and disorganized.

Now, Monday the 24th is where things get a little more interesting. The morning brings 6ft from the NNW with a consistent 20 km/h offshore wind, and the combined energy pushes into the 520 (strong) range. The waves are clean and punchy, but that 7-second period means it’s a bit of a battlefield. Then Monday afternoon, a real surprise: a 2ft swell from the SW with a *very* long period of 18 seconds rolls in. The energy is still strong (489), and the wind is offshore. That’s a classic groundswell, and it’s going to be long, clean lines at the point. Best session of the run so far, but it’s small.

The rest of the week from Tuesday the 25th to Thursday the 27th is a bit of a mixed bag. The swell stays small, mostly under 3ft, with a long period from the SW (15-17 seconds), but the wind goes cross-onshore or light, so it’s not all that clean. Thursday afternoon sees a bit more life with 5ft from the WNW and a gentle offshore, but it’s still ordinary.

The real standout is shaping up for the first week of September. Tuesday the 1st is looking proper. The morning has 6ft from the NW at 11 seconds, with a combined energy of 845 (very strong). The afternoon pushes it to 7ft from the same direction, with energy hitting 1046 (very strong). The wind is fresh offshore from the north at 35 km/h. That’s a solid, powerful groundswell with clean, groomed faces. This is expert territory though – over 8ft on the afternoon, and the 11-second period means it’ll have plenty of punch. It’s going to be a heavy, walled-up day at the reef, and with the crowds often being a thing here, you’ll want to be on it early.

Then Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are both pumping. Thursday morning delivers 8ft from the NNW at 8 seconds, with a combined energy of 936 (very strong). The wind is strong offshore, so it’s clean but battling. Friday the 4th is where I’d put my money: 8ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, both from the NNW at 9 seconds, with a lighter offshore breeze. The energy is in the 830s (very strong). This is the sweet spot – big, powerful surf with clean, offshore winds. The break is sheltered from the NW, so it’ll be a bit more lined up and less of a mess.

The water temperature is a major story here. It’s currently 51°F, which is a whopping 7° colder than average for this time of year. That’s very unusual, almost unheard of for August. You’ll want a thick wetsuit, hood, and gloves – it’s going to be a cold, cold session.

For the first few days, the beach break setup with the onshore wind and short period is more of a kite-surfing scene than a paddle one. But once the offshore winds kick in from Sunday on, it’s all yours.

So, the best on offer? Friday the 4th of September. Get ready for a big, clean, offshore day with 8-8ft from the NNW. It’s a standout.

Rusty.

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