Slip Point (Clallam Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be real about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got one spot to look at, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

First off, the water temperature at Slip Point (Clallam Bay) is running 53°F – that’s a whopping 6°F colder than usual for this time of year. That’s not just a little chilly, that’s "where's my thickest wetsuit" territory. Seriously unusual cold water for late August.

The overall pattern is frustrating. We’re kicking off with a lot of flat days and poor conditions. The first real chance of any action won’t be until Tuesday, the 1st of September. From now until then, there’s a run of days with no surf to speak of or just tiny, messy junk. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, ruining what little swell is out there.

Tuesday morning, September 1st is the first flicker of hope. We’ll see a tiny 2ft swell from the west with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is weak (67). The wind goes glassy, with a light breeze from the WNW. It’s surfable, but the forecast says "very ordinary conditions." Still, a glassy morning on a tiny point wave is better than a day at work.

The pattern continues with small, clean conditions on the morning of Friday, September 4th and Saturday, September 5th. Swell is still small at 2ft from the west-northwest, with a period of 8-9 seconds. The energy is still weak (72-78). The wind is cross-offshore from the east or southeast, which will keep the surface clean. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s something to paddle around on.

The real standout, and the only one I’d call a highlight, is the Monday morning of September 7th. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the west-northwest with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to a moderate 160. The wind is calm, turning it glassy. That’s the best window in the whole 16-day outlook – clean, glassy conditions on a point break with a bit more push. The period is decent, meaning the waves will have some shape and energy, but expect longer lulls between sets.

Following that, Tuesday morning, September 8th and Wednesday morning, September 9th offer more clean conditions with cross-offshore easterly winds. Swell holds around 2ft-3ft from the west-northwest. The energy is still moderate (113 and 90). It’s consistent, clean, and surfable, but nothing will top that glassy Monday.

The short version: if you’ve been waiting for a window, the morning of September 7th is your best bet. Clean, glassy, and a little more energy. The rest of the run is small but clean enough for a longboard. Don’t bother with the first week – it’s a write-off.

Stay warm out there.

- Rusty

Read more