Stockton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the 16-day outlook for our stretch of coast. I’ll be straight with you: the first week or so is a real struggle. We’ve got a long, quiet spell ahead, so don’t be in a rush to grab your board just yet.

We’re looking at Stockton Beach, and the water temp is sitting at 63°, which is a bit colder than we’d normally expect for this time of year. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re heading out early.

The first proper surf on offer is on Thursday morning, August 20th, with a tiny 3-ft swell from the ESE, mixed with a light cross-offshore breeze from the north at 6 mph. The energy is weak (64), and the period is short at 7 seconds, so it’s not going to be much to write home about. This pattern of small, weak swell sticks around for days, with a long gap of no real recommendations right through to the end of August.

We finally get a bit of a pulse late on Sunday, August 30th, with the swell building to 5-ft from the ENE, but the period is still short (7 seconds) and the conditions are described as ordinary. The energy is starting to climb (175), but it’s still messy.

The real standout isn’t until Monday, August 31st, in the afternoon. The swell jumps to 8-ft from the ENE, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is massive at 1763 – that’s strong wave energy. However, the wind is a gentle cross-onshore from the NE at 9 mph, and the guidance warns that this swell is too big for this break. This is expert territory only, and the size will likely make it a washing machine. It’s a proper beast, but you’ll need to be on your game.

Then, on Tuesday, September 1st, the morning is still big at 7-ft from the E, with a 10-second period, and a moderate cross-offshore breeze from the WNW at 12 mph. The energy is still high (854). But the afternoon is where it’s at: the wind goes glassy from the ESE at 3 mph, and the swell holds at 7-ft from the E with a 10-second period. That’s 767 energy units and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the pick of the window – clean, glassy faces, and a solid, long-period groundswell. It’ll be a bit big for beginners, but the quality is there for the experienced crew.

The week after that looks more moderate, with the swell dropping to 4-5-ft and cleaner conditions, but nothing else that truly stands out as a must-do.

So, bottom line: if you’re patient, the afternoon of September 1st is your best bet. That glassy, 7-ft E swell is the one to circle on the calendar. But be aware, it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Rusty.

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