Port Orford Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Port Orford. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a glimmer of hope further out.

Right now, the water is sitting at 54°, which is a good 4° colder than what we’d normally expect for this time of year. That’s a notable chill, so you’ll want a decent hood and some booties if you’re heading out.

The first few days are a write-off. Thursday afternoon, the 4th of September, has a 6ft swell from the NW, but it’s onshore and messy with 12 mph winds. The energy is moderate at 582, but the conditions are just poor. Don’t even bother. Friday and Saturday (5th and 6th) offer a little more hope with waist-high waves around 4ft to 4ft, and the wind switches to a light cross-off, but the quality is still very ordinary. It’s clean enough for a longboard, but nothing to get excited about. The energy drops to 270 and 226, so it’s weak.

Sunday the 6th through Monday the 7th see the wind turning offshore, but the swell drops right off. Sunday morning is only 3ft and the energy is a weak 126. It’s surfable for a beginner, but it’s tiny. Monday afternoon gets even smaller, down to 2ft, and the energy is just 79. It’s a real lull. Tuesday the 8th is even worse, with 1ft waves. There’s a weird spike in energy to 188 on Tuesday afternoon from a 2ft, 18-second secondary swell, but that’s a long-period groundswell that won’t do much on a beach break like this.

Then we get a dry spell. From Wednesday the 9th of September through to Monday the 14th, the swell is tiny – mostly under 3ft. The energy is weak, often under 300. A couple of mornings on the 10th and 11th show “expect good surf conditions” with a 3ft and 3ft swell from the SW with a very long period of 16-17 seconds, giving you moderate energy in the 500s and 600s. The wind is offshore and clean. However, that long period means the sets will be far apart, and at a beach break it’ll likely break too straight. Still, for a small wave, being clean is a win.

The first real standout is Saturday, the 12th of September. The morning brings a clean 5ft swell from the NW with a moderate 10-second period. The wind is a moderate offshore from the N at 12 mph, and the energy is a solid 475. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, punchy, and consistent. The afternoon builds on that, with the energy jumping to 646 and the swell holding at 4ft, still offshore. This is a good day for an intermediate surfer, or even a confident beginner. The crowds are listed as “often” here, so expect company.

The next highlight is Thursday, the 17th of September. The afternoon session is a beauty. The wind turns light offshore from the NNW at 6 mph, and the swell jumps to 5ft from the NW. The energy is a strong 577, and the conditions are clean. This is a solid, fun, head-high day. The morning is smaller at 2ft, but the afternoon is the pick.

If you can hold out, Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th of September are the real standouts. Friday afternoon, the swell is a solid 6ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, with a light offshore N wind. The energy is a hefty 915. This is a powerful, clean NW swell. Saturday morning, the 19th, is even better. The wind goes glassy from the NNW, the swell is 6ft from the NW, and the energy is 819. That’s a serious, clean, lined-up day. The afternoon holds at 5ft with a light offshore breeze and energy of 700, though there’s a chance of rain showers. For a spot like Port Orford, which is inconsistent and sheltered, this is a rare treat. The swell is over 5ft, so it’s likely too big for beginners, but for the rest of us, it’s a party.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a slow grind. The best action is in the second week, with Saturday the 12th being a good warm-up, but Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th of September are the true standouts – clean, powerful, and glassy. Mark your calendar.

Rusty.

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