38 Line Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.00° N 128.73° E

38 Line Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's 38 Line sea temperature is
24.9° C
0.6° 

38 Line surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


38 Line surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SE swell with 128 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with SE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 38 Line this week:

The surf forecast for 38 Line over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at 38 Line in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (KST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 18th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 18th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Most Powerful 3PM (Mon 24th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for 38 Line over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for 38 Line over the next couple of weeks. I won't sugarcoat it, this one's gonna test your patience.

Right now, there's nothing happening. We're looking at a flat spell that runs all the way from Monday, August 17th, right through the middle of the following week. We're talking about a solid week and a half of tiny, weak waves. The combined energy is barely a whisper, with values like 31 and even dropping down to 1 (that's very weak energy) for days on end. The water temp is sittin' about 77°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won't freeze waiting.

Things start to get a tiny bit interesting around Sunday, August 23rd. That afternoon we see a new pulse of north swell push through at 7ft with an 8-second period. The combined energy jumps up to 458 (strong wave energy), but the wind is a cross-shore breeze at 9 mph. It's still being called "marginal" and it's only for the experts out there – that's a big, raw chunk of water. Monday the 24th has a cleaner window with glassy conditions in the morning and a 4ft NE swell at 7-seconds (129 energy - moderate), but it's just surfable, nothing to write home about.

The real standout – the one that's worth circling on the calendar – is Tuesday morning, September 1st. That's about two weeks away, so keep an eye on the charts, but right now it's showing the best potential. We've got a 5ft ENE groundswell rolling in with a 7-second period. The combined energy climbs to 218 (strong wave energy). But the kicker is the wind: it's glassy. That offshore easterly at 3 mph will have 38 Line looking clean and lined up. For a spot that's fairly consistent and exposed to the east, this is the morning to be in the water. The crowd factor is "never," so you might have it all to yourself. The swell direction is right on the money from the east-northeast too, matching what this break wants.

Other than that, the second week is pretty flat. Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th look poor, with tiny east-northeast swells under 3ft and messy wind. There's a little bump on Monday the 31st with a 4ft NE swell and 115 energy (moderate) in the afternoon, but the cross-shore wind will spoil it. Honestly, hold out for September 1st if you can.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu night, min 22°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SE
7
0.4
SSE
6
0.6
ESE
5
0.4
SE
7
0.4
SE
6
0.3
ESE
5
0.2
ESE
5
0.2
SSE
5
0.2
E
3
0.3
ENE
4
0.4
NE
4
0.2
NNE
4
0.2
ENE
4
0.1
NE
11
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
8
0.5
SE
4
0.4
ESE
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
73
12
19
14
8
5
2
3
1
3
5
2
1
0
4
4
3
6
8
Wind (km/h)
5
N
5
SE
10
SE
15
WSW
10
SW
5
SE
10
WSW
5
NNE
10
NNW
5
W
5
WSW
5
NNE
5
SSE
5
N
5
NE
5
SW
0
N
10
ESE
5
SSW
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
High Tide
6:24AM0.26m
7:10PM0.21m
6:53AM0.27m
8:43PM0.19m
7:28AM0.27m
8:17AM0.28m
9:15AM0.28m
10:25AM0.29m
Low Tide
00:08AM0.13m
1:10PM0.12m
00:22AM0.16m
2:22PM0.12m
00:18AM0.18m
3:45PM0.11m
5:04PM0.11m
6:08PM0.10m
6:57PM0.08m
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:41
5:41
5:43
5:43
5:45
5:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:15
7:15
7:14
7:13
7:10
7:09
7:07
 mm
9
2
14
4
1
3
3
Temp °C
24
27
28
28
31
30
27
26
24
24
24
22
23
23
24
24
24
24
25
Feels °C
28
30
31
30
33
33
29
28
27
27
28
25
27
27
28
29
28
28
30
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the 38 Line Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for 38 Line provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at 38 Line can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our 38 Line 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 (38 Line) 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 38 Line 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.

38 Line is 18 km (11 miles) from the city of Sokcho. If you plan a holiday in South Korea, look for hotels and other accommodation in Sokcho. Sokcho has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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