Santa Monica Samo 20 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for Santa Monica Samo 20 over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – this stretch of coast is looking pretty quiet. The first few days, from the 30th of August right through the start of September, are a write-off. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1 ft to 3 ft from the SSW, and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, just messing up any chance of a clean wave. The combined energy is weak, barely cracking 303, and it’s just not worth paddling out for. You’ll be sitting there bobbing around on a long-period swell (14–16 seconds) that’s got no push behind it.

There’s a real gap here with no surf to recommend until we get to the 6th of September. That’s a solid week of flat, poor conditions.

Now, the one window that’s got me a little interested is around the 6th and 7th. On Sunday the 6th, we start seeing a bit of life. The wind swings around to a light cross-offshore from the north, and the swell bumps up to a clean 3 ft from the south. The energy picks up to 634 (moderate). That morning looks “clean” and the afternoon is flagged as “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your best bet for a paddle.

Then Monday the 7th of September morning is a real standout. The wind goes glassy – dead calm from the southeast – and the swell is a solid 5 ft from the south with a period of 13 seconds (moderate energy of 854). That’s a proper little groundswell, and with glassy conditions, it’s going to be smooth and fun. If you can get out there that morning, that’s the pick of the whole forecast. The water temp is way warmer than usual for this time of year, about 75°, so you won’t even need a thick suit.

But hold up – Monday afternoon? The swell jumps to 12 ft from the south. That’s way too big for this spot, and the energy is a massive 3195 (very strong). That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s likely going to be a washing machine. I’d skip that session.

After that, from the 8th of September onward, it’s back to small, weak, and onshore. Swells drop to 1 ft to 2 ft, the period is long (14–19 seconds) but the height is pathetic, and the energy is low (mostly under 300). The wind stays onshore from the SW, so it’s a no-go for the rest of the run.

So, bottom line: the 7th of September morning is the one to aim for. Everything else is a rest day.

Rusty

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