Surf Forecasts:
The Patch surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 607 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Patch this week:
The surf forecast for The Patch over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Patch in the next 16 days are 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Patch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down this stretch of surf in feet and miles per hour.
Alright, so the outlook for The Patch is a bit of a mixed bag. The water's sitting at a balmy 62°, which is *much warmer than normal* for this time of year – you'll be leaving the thick wetsuit at home, that's for sure. We've got some clean waves on the horizon, but there's a lot of marginal conditions to wade through first. The first real standout is a good stretch that kicks off on the 28th of August. For a beginner-friendly spot like The Patch, you need to pick your moments, and there are a couple of absolute gems later in the run.
The first week is mostly small and tricky. Saturday the 22nd has some clean 1ft SW groundswell (129 energy), but it's pretty tiny and weak. The wind is a moderate cross-offshore at 16 mph, so it's tidy but there's just nothing to ride. Sunday and Monday are similar – knee-high, messy, and with marginal conditions. You'll be chasing ankle-biters. By Tuesday the 25th, we see a bit more life with a clean 2ft SW groundswell on the morning (324 energy), but it's still small. This pattern of small, clean but weak surf continues through the middle of the week.
Now, things start to get interesting on Thursday the 27th afternoon. We get a bump in size to 5ft from the WNW (411 energy), but the period is a short 7 seconds – so it'll be a bit soft and lumpy. Not the best shape for a beach break, but the cross-offshore wind keeps it rideable. Friday the 28th morning is where we see our first real highlight. The swell jumps to 6ft from the NW, with a massive 904 energy reading, and the wind is light and cross-offshore at 6 mph. That's a solid, punchy wave for the more experienced crew, but at The Patch, 6ft is getting up there for beginners. The afternoon drops right back to a long-period 2ft SW groundswell, but with a huge 593 energy, meaning there's a lot of water moving. It'll be clean, but small.
The weekend of the 29th-30th is a bit of a mixed bag. Saturday morning is clean with a 3ft SW swell (862 energy), and that's a great session for a confident beginner. Saturday afternoon though, we get a jump to 7ft from the WNW (812 energy) – that's big for The Patch and the short 8-second period will make it fat and closey. Sunday morning is back to a cleaner 3ft SW groundswell (695 energy), but the afternoon jumps to 7ft WNW (805 energy) again. Monday the 31st morning is another standout, with a big 7ft NW swell and a whopping 1050 energy. The wind is cross-offshore and light at 9 mph. That's expert territory for sure, with a lot of power. The following days see a similar pattern: early morning clean 7ft swells from the NW with moderate energy, but the afternoons get wind-affected and messy.
Then, we get a real beauty on Friday the 4th of September. The morning is glassy – absolutely dead calm wind from the SSW – with a 3ft SW groundswell pumping in at 703 energy. That's the kind of session you dream about: clean, glassy, and a solid waist-to-chest high wave. That is the pick of the entire forecast period for a surfer who wants perfect, user-friendly conditions. The following Saturday and Sunday mornings are still rideable, with 4ft and 3ft SW swells, but the winds shift to a light cross-onshore at 6 mph, bringing a few ripples.
So, in short, you've got two standout windows. The first is Friday the 28th of August morning for a bigger, punchier wave for the more advanced. The absolute best on offer, though, is Friday the 4th of September morning – glassy, clean, and a lovely long-period SW groundswell. Get out there for that one. The rest is a lot of small, marginal surf, but there are waves to be had if you're patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | SW 19 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
74 | 160 | 131 | 116 | 113 | 157 | 120 | 145 | 219 | 130 | 124 | 124 | 136 | 198 | 163 | 229 | 319 | 416 | 299 | 294 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:48PM1.19m | 10:45AM0.95m | 8:43PM1.22m | 11:16AM0.98m | 9:32PM1.26m | 11:42AM1.01m | 10:16PM1.29m | 12:06PM1.05m | 10:58PM1.29m | 12:28PM1.08m | 11:39PM1.28m | 12:51PM1.12m | 00:21AM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:51PM0.64m | 4:01AM0.06m | 3:46PM0.61m | 4:44AM0.03m | 4:32PM0.58m | 5:20AM0.00m | 5:11PM0.53m | 5:52AM-0.01m | 5:46PM0.48m | 6:22AM-0.01m | 6:22PM0.42m | 6:51AM0.02m | 6:58PM0.36m | |||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 14 | WNW 7 | SW 19 | SSW 18 |
43 | 63 | 131 | 116 | 113 | 87 | 120 | 145 | 219 | 130 | 124 | 124 | 101 | 123 | 73 | 67 | 130 | 220 | 299 | 209 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 10 | SW 14 |
74 | 37 | 130 | 114 | 86 | 120 | 107 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 55 | 58 | 122 | 77 | 75 | 74 | 37 | 235 | 31 | 71 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | WSW 19 | SSW 16 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 16 | WSW 14 | SSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | W 10 | S 10 | SW 13 | S 9 |
12 | 37 | 50 | 37 | 113 | 157 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 41 | 49 | 34 | 48 | 24 | 41 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 |
93 | 160 | — | — | — | — | 66 | 50 | 29 | 17 | 65 | 49 | 136 | 198 | 163 | 229 | 319 | 416 | 235 | 294 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 120 | 0 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 121 | 0 | 0 | 121 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 22 | 22 | 120 | 22 | 0 | 120 | 22 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Marin County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Patch Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Patch provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Patch can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Patch surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (The Patch) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for The Patch may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
The Patch is 15 km (9 miles) from the city of Corte Madera. If you plan a vacation in Marin County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Corte Madera. Corte Madera has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











