Sunset Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it’s a mixed bag of conditions. The one spot that’s on the radar is Sunset Left, a consistent reef break that’s served up a near-constant supply of SW groundswell, but the wind’s been a bit of a character. This is a spot for the experienced crew – when it’s on, it’s on, but the conditions will test your patience.

The water’s sitting at a temperature that’s about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off on Sunday, September 6th. The swell is already building, with a solid 5.6ft to 7.2ft SSW groundswell rolling in. The period is long, around 14 to 17 seconds, which means proper energy. The combined energy is strong, hitting 1711 to 3433, so there’s plenty of push. Problem is, the wind is cross-onshore from the SSE and SE, gusting 12 to 12 mph, making it choppy and a bit messy. The surf is there, but it’s a fight. Not the best for a clean session.

Monday, September 7th and Tuesday, September 8th follow a similar script. Swell holds steady around 6.6ft to 7.2ft, still from the SSW, with periods around 14 seconds. The wind stays cross-onshore, and the quality is marginal. The energy is still there, but the chop is a major downer. The afternoon on Tuesday sees a slight improvement with a longer period of 18 seconds, but it’s still cross-onshore.

Wednesday, September 9th sees a bump in size, with the morning swell hitting 8.2ft from the SSW. That’s getting into the “experts only” territory. The period is 16 seconds, and the energy is very strong at 3278. But again, the wind is cross-onshore from the SSE at 12 mph. It’s a powerful, heavy wave, but it’s messy.

The pattern continues through Thursday, September 10th and Friday, September 11th. The swell is still in the 5.6ft to 7.2ft range, but the wind remains a persistent cross-onshore or cross-shore problem. Friday afternoon sees a shift to a cross-shore wind, which is a slight improvement, but the chop is still there.

Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th are more of the same. The swell drops a bit to 5.2ft to 6.2ft, but the wind is still cross-onshore. The combined energy is still moderate to strong, but the conditions are poor to marginal at best.

Monday, September 14th through Wednesday, September 16th is a rough patch. The swell is still 5.9ft to 6.9ft, but the wind is relentless. The energy is there, but the wave quality is poor. The afternoon on Wednesday the 16th finally sees a slight improvement with a gentle cross-shore breeze, but it’s still a far cry from clean.

Now, there’s a glimmer of hope. Friday, September 18th and Saturday, September 19th bring a change. The wind turns offshore from the SSW on the mornings, blowing at 9 mph. This is what we’ve been waiting for. The swell is still strong, 6.2ft to 7.5ft from the SW, with a period of 16 to 17 seconds. The energy is very strong, hitting 2420 to 2844. The conditions are marginal, but the offshore wind is a game-changer. The surf will be a lot cleaner, with proper lines. The afternoon on Saturday the 19th goes back to cross-onshore, so the mornings are the window.

Sunday, September 20th offers a solid send-off. The swell holds at 8.2ft from the SW, with a period of 15 seconds and very strong energy at 3261 and 2906. The wind is still cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a powerful, chunky wave, but it’s sizeable.

Monday, September 21st wraps things up with the wind turning offshore again on the morning. The swell is 6.6ft from the SW, and the morning looks promising.

The Verdict: The best bet is Saturday, September 19th morning. The swell is solid at 6.9ft from the SW, the period is a long 17 seconds, and the offshore wind from the SSW will clean it up. The energy is strong (2420). It’s a reef break, so that long period will translate into proper, grinding walls. It’s for advanced surfers, and crowds are possible, so get in early. The Friday, September 18th morning is also a good call, with 6.2ft SW swell and offshore wind. That’s the standout window.

The rest of the week is a waiting game. The swell is consistent, but the wind blows it out. The energy is always there, but you need to pick the right morning. The long period swells are best here, but they need the offshore wind to shape up.

The setup is a

Read more