San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at the charts for San Mateo, and I gotta be straight with ya—this is a lean run. We’ve got a decent patch of swell hangin’ around, but the wind is gonna be a pain in the arse for most of the next couple weeks. The real standout window is a short one, so you’ll wanna be on it.

Now, for the first week, the water temp is sittin’ pretty average for this time of year, so nothin’ to get excited about there. Let’s get into it.

Right from the off, Sunday 16 August morning has some swell—4ft from the southwest with a 14-second period, combined energy of 526—but it’s a cross-shore wind from the SSW at 12 mph, so it’s choppy and messy. Not worth paddlin’ out. That afternoon and all through Monday look even worse with cross-on winds and poor conditions.

The one real shining moment comes on Tuesday 18 August morning. The wind swings around to the WNW at only 3 mph and goes glassy. That’s magic. The swell drops a touch to 3ft from the southwest, but the period extends to 16 seconds, makin’ for a nice, long groundswell. Combined energy sits at 475. The break here at San Mateo is a point break that’s exposed to the NW, and that southwest swell wraps in nicely, so you’re gonna get clean, lined-up waves. This is the best on offer—get out there early. Tuesday afternoon sees the wind turn cross-on again, though, and it goes downhill.

After that, it’s a whole lotta nothin’. Wednesday 19 August through to Saturday 22 August is all cross-shore or cross-on winds, with swell droppin’ from 3ft down to a weak 2ft by Friday mornin’. Friday the 21st morning does go glassy again, but the swell is tiny—2ft from the southwest with a 16-second period, energy down to 145. Surfable, but barely. Expect small, clean waves if you’ve got a log.

From Saturday 22 August afternoon right through to Sunday 30 August, it’s a long stretch of poor surf. Wind stays onshore or cross-shore, swell bounces between 1ft and 4ft, but the conditions are consistently rubbish. Tuesday 25 August onward has some marginal calls, but nothin’ worth a paddle.

Now, lookin’ out to the second week, there’s a little glimmer. Friday 28 August morning shows a pulse of swell—3ft from the southwest, period 16 seconds, combined energy jumps to 654. That’s a solid energy readin’, but the wind is light cross-shore from the SW at 6 mph. The surf report flags it as marginal due to tide, but it’s the best long-range option. Less certain, but keep an eye on it. Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August mornings both have an increase in swell—4ft from the southwest with 14-second period, energy around 541. Sunday the 30th morning even has a light cross-offshore breeze from the south at 9 mph, which cleans it up a bit. Mark that one as promising but not locked in.

If the swell holds and the wind behaves, San Mateo point could have some nice lines—just remember, this spot is inconsistent, so don’t expect a guarantee. Crowds are possible, especially if the glassy Tuesday session gets busy.

Alright, that’s the rundown. Tuesday morning is your golden window. Everything else is a gamble. Stay tuned, forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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