
Surf Forecasts:
The Patch surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 502 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SSW 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Patch over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the table for The Patch.
The Patch is a beginner-friendly spot, fairly consistent, and exposed to the west. For the next week and a half, we're looking at a real mixed bag. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 60°, which is a nice little bonus. The overall pattern is a lot of small, weak swell with awkward wind, so you'll need to pick your moments.
The first recommendation actually shows up on Saturday the 15th of August. The morning has a 3ft swell from the southwest with a very long 17-second period, generating moderate wave energy (447). It's a glassy morning with light cross-shore wind, but it's only a "marginal" call. That long period will make the waves more shaped and powerful for the size, but at a beach break it might break a bit straight. It's not a standout, but it's the first real chance.
Sunday the 16th of August morning is a similar story: a 3ft swell from the southwest, 16-second period, and strong energy (501). The wind is light cross-shore, so it's clean. Still a marginal call, but it's on the improve.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday the 17th of August morning. We've got a 3ft swell from the southwest, 14-second period, with light cross-offshore wind from the WNW. The energy is moderate (339) and the forecast is for good surf conditions. The waves will be clean and lined up. It's a small day, but for a beginner-friendly spot, this is the best you'll see for a while.
The next standout is Wednesday the 19th of August morning. Same deal: 3ft from the southwest with a 15-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and clean conditions. The energy picks up to 494, which is solid for the size. This is a good morning to be in the water.
Then we get a real treat on Thursday the 20th of August morning. The wind goes glassy, absolutely dead calm, with a 3ft swell from the west at 12 seconds. The energy is moderate (348), and the forecast is for good surf. It doesn't get much better than glassy conditions for a clean, fun wave. This is the pick of the entire outlook.
Looking further out, the morning of Tuesday the 25th of August brings a bigger bump. A 5ft swell from the WNW, but with a short, choppy 6-second period. That's windswell, and while the forecast is for good conditions with a clean cross-offshore wind, 5ft with that short period will be a bumpy, disorganised mess. It's likely too big and messy for beginners. The energy is moderate (474). This is more of a "look but don't touch" for most.
The afternoon of the 25th of August is a better bet for the more experienced crew. The swell drops to 3ft from the southwest, but the period is a very long 18 seconds, and the energy is strong (633). The wind is a clean cross-offshore. That long period will make the waves peel nicely, but again, at a beach break, it might be a bit straight.
Beyond that, we have a long stretch of small, marginal surf with moderate energy and clean conditions, but nothing to set the world on fire.
The true standout, the one you really want to circle on the calendar, is Thursday the 20th of August morning. That glassy, clean, 3ft southwest swell with 12-second period is the best on offer. The Patch isn't known for crowds, but on a morning like that, you might see a few others with the same idea.
No other breaks are in the data, so this is your only shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
199 | 268 | 245 | 245 | 223 | 181 | 207 | 149 | 136 | 162 | 252 | 405 | 268 | 502 | 416 | 344 | 305 | 305 | 305 | 167 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:52PM1.49m | 12:44PM1.14m | 11:44PM1.45m | 1:20PM1.19m | 00:35AM1.38m | 1:54PM1.22m | 1:26AM1.27m | 2:27PM1.24m | 2:18AM1.14m | 3:01PM1.24m | 3:16AM1.01m | 3:36PM1.24m | 4:24AM0.89m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:29PM0.48m | 6:28AM-0.20m | 6:22PM0.41m | 7:09AM-0.15m | 7:13PM0.35m | 7:48AM-0.07m | 8:04PM0.30m | 8:26AM0.03m | 8:56PM0.26m | 9:03AM0.16m | 9:51PM0.23m | 9:42AM0.28m | 10:49PM0.21m | |||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
199 | 268 | 245 | 245 | 223 | 181 | 207 | 127 | 97 | 76 | 37 | 405 | 268 | 502 | 416 | 344 | 305 | 305 | 305 | 167 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | SW 13 | W 10 | WNW 10 | S 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 |
100 | 249 | 108 | 130 | 161 | 157 | 153 | 149 | 136 | 130 | 252 | 25 | 87 | 18 | 77 | 8 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 14 | W 10 | W 10 | S 11 | S 10 | W 13 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 10 |
113 | 28 | 28 | 44 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 62 | 97 | 162 | 130 | 17 | 18 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 3 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 17 | — | 74 | 25 | 7 | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 212 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 42 | 31 | 121 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 0 | 22 | 122 | 0 | 22 | 121 | 22 | 0 | 122 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Marin County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











