Sunset Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s a quiet stretch ahead for Sunset Beach (USA-North-OC). We’ve got a patch of small, long-period SSW groundswell on the way, but the conditions are holding it back. The water temp’s sitting about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. This is a fairly exposed sandbar that needs everything to line up, and right now, the wind is mostly cross-onshore, which has the surface looking messy.

Looking at Monday the 6th, we’ve got a small 2ft swell from the SSW, long period around 16 seconds, which would be nice if it wasn’t for the onshore and cross-onshore breezes making it choppy. The wave energy is moderate (431 in the morning, 502 in the afternoon), but the wind’s ruining it. Tuesday the 7th sees a little more size – 3ft – and still that long 18-second groundswell, but again, cross-onshore winds keep things marginal at best. The energy bumps up a bit (726) but the quality just isn’t there.

Wednesday the 8th is about the same – 3ft at 16 seconds – but winds turn more onshore, killing the wave shape. Thursday through the weekend, the swell drops back to 3-3ft, periods shortening, and we’re stuck with that cross-onshore wind and poor conditions every session. The energy fades from around 500 down to the low 300s by Sunday the 12th. Only a small glimpse of relief Sunday afternoon with lighter winds, but at 2ft, it’s not worth paddling out for.

The week starting Monday the 13th is just dismal. Swell drops to 2ft by Tuesday, 1ft by Wednesday and Thursday, and the period is still clinging to 12-17 seconds, but the energy is weak (under 200). Wind is mostly on or cross-onshore. It’s flat and choppy. Even with a longer period swell that would normally mean better shape, there’s just not enough wave to do anything.

The second week doesn’t get any better until Sunday the 19th when a new SSE pulse rolls in – 2-3ft but the periods are short (14-15 seconds). The energy jumps to 510-611, but the wind is still cross-onshore, keeping it ragged. By Monday the 20th, we start seeing a little more size, 4ft from the south at 14 seconds, and the energy is getting into the strong range (841). The wind is a light breeze or light air, which is promising, but the surf quality is still described as marginal. Then Tuesday the 21st, the swell pushes to 5ft from the south at 14 seconds, with energy at 869. This is the only day in the whole forecast that might offer something, with light cross-onshore wind and small ripples. But even then, the wave comment calls it “marginal.” This is still in the range where a confident beginner could handle it, but the conditions aren't clean enough to call a standout.

So the highlight, if we can call it that, is Tuesday the 21st of July. 5ft of south swell (869 energy) with a light breeze. It’s still not perfect, but it’s the closest we get to a decent session in this 16-day window. No true standouts here. When the swell finally shows up, the wind just won't play ball.

The rest of the time? Forget it. Even for a beginner-friendly spot, this is a long gap of poor conditions from the 6th all the way through to the 19th. It’s not a blank run that’s unusual here – Sunset can be fickle – but it’s still a tough stretch.

Rusty.

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