30th Street/Ship Bottom Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's talk about what's in store for us. For the next week and a half, it's looking pretty darn quiet. There's a big old gap with nothing worth getting wet for from now until late next week, so if you’re keen for a wave, you’ll be waiting a fair while. The ocean just doesn't have any grunt for most of it.

The first few days are tiny. Sunday the 23rd we’re seeing a small 0.7ft wave from the ESE with a period of 13 seconds – it's a groundswell but there's hardly any power, combined energy is only (26). Water temp is 77°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so that's a nice bonus if you're just floating, but the surf is poor.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th stay small, 1.0ft from the SE with a period around 12 seconds. The wind does turn offshore (WSW and W) on both afternoons, so it’ll be clean as a whistle, but it’s still barely a ripple. Combined energy stays low (24 to 37). Wednesday the 26th morning goes glassy with 0.7ft from the ESE and a 9-second period – perfect conditions if there was any swell, but there ain't.

We drift through the rest of the week and into the next with nothing but poor surf. Thursday the 28th afternoon sees a little bump to 3ft from the SE with 9 seconds, combined energy hits (130) – moderate energy for a moment – but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. Friday the 28th morning is the first time we get a “surfable” nod: 2ft from the ESE, 8 seconds, with light SW winds making it clean. Still, it’s very ordinary.

Then there’s another dry spell right through to the start of September. On Monday the 31st of August we get a long-period SE swell at 18 seconds, 1ft, combined energy (108) – that’s a proper groundswell but the height is just too small to do anything with. Offshore wind (WNW) in the morning keeps it tidy, but it’s a tease.

The real change comes on Thursday the 3rd of September. That morning we’ve got 2ft from the SE, 11-second period, and offshore wind from the west (15 km/h). Combined energy ramps up to (247) – moderate energy now, and the conditions are clean. Friday the 4th of September morning keeps it going: 3ft from the SE, 12-second period, light NW winds (5 km/h), combined energy (210). This is the standout window. The swell direction suits the SE optimum, the period is solid, the wind is light and offshore – it’ll be clean, lined-up waves at 30th Street/Ship Bottom. It’s a beginner-friendly sandbar, and with waves around 3ft, it’s perfect for a longboard or a funboard. Crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so you might have company, but for the lack of action we’ve seen, it’s worth it.

After that, Saturday the 5th of September picks up a bit more height – 4ft from the ESE, 11-second period – but the wind swings north-northeasterly and then easterly, and it’s onshore, so it gets messy. Combined energy hits (422) and (404), showing decent push, but the chop will spoil it. The rest of the outlook trails off into small, blown-out slop.

So, if you’re patient, the 3rd and 4th of September are your best bet. It won’t be epic, but after the long flat spell, it’ll feel like a gift. Stay tuned, forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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