South Del Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty.

Alright, let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple weeks. I’ll be honest, it’s not a barnburner. The whole stretch is looking pretty quiet, with a real long gap of nothing special to start. You’ll be waiting until the second week before anything gets a pulse. No standouts in the first few days.

Starting on Wednesday morning, September 9th, South Del Mar is seeing a tiny 2 ft southwest swell with a long 16-second period. The wind is a light cross-onshore, but the wave report calls it "poor surf conditions." The water is about 72°F, which is a touch warmer than normal. Combined energy is moderate (412). Not one to rush for.

That Wednesday afternoon picks up a bit to 3 ft, but it’s still poor. Thursday the 10th through Tuesday the 15th is a grind – swell bouncing between 1 ft and 4 ft, but the wind is cross or cross-onshore all the way, and the period jumps from 8 to 19 seconds. Sunday morning the 13th has a short-period 4 ft pulse from the west at 8 seconds, but it’s only "marginal." Not worth getting wet.

The first real maybe is Wednesday morning, September 16th. A 3 ft SSW swell at a long 17 seconds, and the wind finally swings onshore (but from the west, so it’s clean). Energy is (507) – moderate. Still just a "marginal" tag, but it’s a step up.

Now, the only true standout is Saturday the 19th through Sunday the 21st. Saturday morning the 19th gives you a 3 ft SW swell at 18 seconds with light cross-onshore winds, energy at (538). The afternoon cleans up nicely with an onshore WNW breeze at 6 mph, same 3 ft swell, energy jumps to (575). Then Sunday the 20th is the pick: both morning and afternoon show 3 ft from the southwest at 18 seconds, with light onshore west winds. Energy peaks at (685) and (694) – the strongest of the whole window. This long-period groundswell (over 15 seconds) will work best for the reef setup here, but at a beach break it can straighten out. Still, Sunday afternoon is the time to go.

Monday the 21st holds at 3 ft with 17 seconds and onshore WNW winds, energy at (627). After that, Tuesday the 22nd through Thursday the 24th fades steadily, with swell dropping to 3 ft and periods shortening, energy falling to (282) by the afternoon of the 24th.

Don’t expect much most days. The only real windows are Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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