Sunset Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a pretty quiet run ahead for this stretch, so keep expectations in check.

The next couple of weeks are looking pretty slow overall. There’s a long gap of weak, onshore, and messy conditions right through the second week of July, with nothing really worth paddling out for. The first real glimmer of hope shows up on the 18th, but even then, it’s a mixed bag. The consistent north-east offshore wind is present, but the swell direction is a bit off.

Let’s look at the only spot worth talking about. Sunset Beach (North OC). This is a fairly consistent sandbar break, but it’s a beginner spot. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first week is a write-off. From Sunday the 12th through to Friday the 17th, we’re looking at tiny swell around 1 ft to 3 ft, mostly from the SSW and SW. The wind is a constant problem—cross-onshore or onshore almost every session, with speeds up to 12 mph. The wave energy is mostly weak, with values like 324, 338, and 290, so there’s just no push. It’s a tough stretch for a paddle.

The first real standout, and really the only one worth a mention, is the morning of Saturday, July 18th. The swell jumps to 5 ft from the SSE with a period of 16 seconds, which is a solid groundswell. The combined energy is a strong 1734, so there’s plenty of power. The wind is light and onshore from the SSW at 6 mph, which is a negative, but it’s light. The wave comment says “marginal surf forecast,” and the score backs that up—it’s not a classic. The swell is just over 5 ft, so it’s getting a bit much for total beginners, but still manageable. The crowds are “sometimes” an issue, so you might have some company on the peak. The optimum swell direction is SW, and this is coming from the SSE, so it’s a bit off the ideal. Still, it’s the biggest pulse we see.

After the 18th, it drops back to small, messy conditions. The morning of the 19th has 4 ft from the S with a 10-second period, but the wind is onshore at 9 mph, and it’s a poor rating. The following week, from the 20th to the 27th, we see a few more pulses of 2 ft to 4 ft, mostly from the SSW and SW, with periods bouncing between 14 and 21 seconds. The energy stays moderate to strong (between 317 and 984), but the wind is often cross-onshore or onshore, and the wave comments are consistently “poor surf conditions” or “marginal.” The morning of Monday, July 27th, has 4 ft from the SSW with a 18-second period and light onshore wind, but it’s still “marginal.”

The best bet is that Saturday morning on the 18th. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only real window of size. The rest of the time, you’re looking at small, choppy, and messy conditions. Keep an eye on the wind, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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