38 Line Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.00° N 128.73° E

38 Line Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's 38 Line sea temperature is
25.8°C
2.5° 

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 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, NNE swell with 1,195 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with NE 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at 38 Line in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (KST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 2nd Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 9th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 6AM (Wed 9th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for 38 Line.

Right now, we’re looking at a pretty flat and frustrating stretch to kick things off. The water temp is sitting at 78°F, which is a solid 5°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s notable, the ocean’s feeling more like a bath than usual.

The first real chance of anything decent is on Wednesday morning the 9th of September. Up until then, it’s a write-off – days of weak, short-period windswell and cross-shore or onshore breezes making a mess of things. We’re talking about a full week of poor conditions from the 2nd right through the 8th.

Wednesday the 9th brings a spike. We’ve got a 8ft swell from the NNE with a 9-second period. The combined energy is strong (1305). Winds are a light cross-shore in the morning, which is workable, but the conditions are still only marginal. This is a big swell, getting up to 8ft, so it’s pushing into expert territory, and the cross-shore wind will leave a bit of chop on the face.

Thursday the 10th of September is the standout. The morning session is where you want to be. We’re looking at a 8ft NE groundswell, with that same 9-second period, and the wind is dead calm – glassy conditions. The energy is still strong (808). This is the best on offer. It’s a big wave though, so if you’re not solid on a board this size, it’s going to be a handful. Keep in mind that with the swell coming from the NE and the break needing E swell, there’s a bit of a direction mismatch, but the clean conditions might make up for it.

Friday the 11th of September morning is a solid follow-up. Swell drops to a more manageable 6ft from the NE, period still 9 seconds, and we get a light offshore breeze from the west. That’s clean, lined-up waves. The energy is moderate (439). This is a great session for the strong intermediate crowd.

After that, it drops off again. We get a bit of a pulse later on around the 16th and 17th, but the swell is huge – 10ft to 12ft – and while the winds are light or cross-off, the forecast says it’s too big for this break. The combined energy is extreme (up to 3287). That’s for the big-wave chargers only, and even then, it might be a closeout.

So, to sum it up: you’ve got a long flat spell until the 9th. The best bet is Thursday the 10th of September for that glassy, clean morning. Friday the 11th morning is also a winner with offshore winds. After that, it’s either too small or too big for 38 Line.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
NE
8
1.1
NE
8
0.9
NE
7
0.8
NE
7
0.7
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
1
NE
6
1.1
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
0.9
ENE
6
0.9
ENE
6
0.8
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
1.1
E
6
1.5
E
7
1.5
ENE
7
1.4
ENE
7
1.2
E
7
1.1
E
7
1.1
E
6
2.5
NE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
147
131
91
67
47
75
81
82
43
55
49
62
82
100
226
200
176
130
107
97
789
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
N
5
WNW
10
N
15
N
10
NNE
15
NE
15
NE
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
NE
20
ENE
20
NE
20
NNE
20
N
20
N
20
NW
20
NNE
20
NNE
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
6:55PM0.22m
6:10AM0.29m
8:35PM0.21m
6:53AM0.30m
7:53AM0.30m
9:12AM0.31m
2:27AM0.23m
10:36AM0.31m
2:31AM0.24m
11:51AM0.32m
2:48AM0.24m
Low Tide
12:29PM0.09m
11:52PM0.16m
1:40PM0.08m
00:08AM0.19m
3:06PM0.08m
4:36PM0.07m
5:51PM0.05m
4:28AM0.23m
6:52PM0.03m
5:56AM0.21m
7:41PM0.03m
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:56
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:53
6:52
6:51
6:50
6:47
6:46
6:45
 mm
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
3
2
1
Temp °C
23
24
23
24
24
22
23
23
22
22
23
22
23
23
22
22
22
21
21
21
19
Feels °C
26
26
27
24
24
24
22
22
22
21
22
22
21
20
20
20
19
19
19
18
17
  • 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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