Surf Forecasts:
38 Line surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, NE swell with 32 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 38 Line this week:
The most powerful waves expected at 38 Line in the next 16 days are 0.8m 5s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 3AM. 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 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (KST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 38 Line over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got lined up for 38 Line over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, for the first week, it’s a tough stretch. The surf is tiny and the conditions are just not coming together. We’re looking at a long dry spell with hardly anything to get excited about from Sunday the 19th right through to the end of the month. The energy is just not there, with combined swell energy barely reaching double digits for most of that time – we’re talking 28 or less, which is very weak. The wind is all over the place, mostly cross or cross-off, but with swells barely pushing 2ft at best, it’s not worth paddling out. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing special.
Now, things start to look a little more interesting as we move into the end of July and the start of August. On Monday the 28th, the swell finally shows some life. The morning sees a 4ft NE swell with an 8-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 177 – that’s moderate energy, a real step up. The wind is light and onshore from the ESE, so it’s not clean, but it’s a sign of things to come. The afternoon gets a bit bigger, 5ft from the NE, and the energy hits 260, but the wind swings cross-on and the conditions are only marginal. This is still a bit too small for a standout, but it’s the first real pulse.
The standout of the whole period, and the only one I’d circle on the calendar, is Wednesday the 29th of July. The morning brings a 4ft NE swell with a 7-second period, and the wind goes glassy from the ENE. That’s the magic word – glassy. The combined energy is 156, which is moderate, but the real treat is that clean, mirror-like surface. 38 Line is an exposed E-facing break, and this NE swell is a decent match. The waves will be ordinary in shape, but the clean conditions will make it feel a whole lot better. It’s not a big day, but it’s the best on offer.
After that, the swell drops back down. The 30th and 31st see some 3ft ENE swell, but the wind is either cross-on or cross, so it’s not worth getting too excited about. The energy dips back into the double digits. The first week of August looks like more of the same – small, weak, and not worth the drive.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The best window is the morning of Wednesday the 29th of July, with glassy conditions and a 4ft NE swell. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only clean surf in the whole run. The rest of the time, you’re better off finding something else to do.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 2 | ESE 3 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 31 | 27 | 25 | 15 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 7:14AM0.23m | 6:15PM0.26m | 7:44AM0.24m | 7:18PM0.22m | 8:16AM0.25m | 8:44PM0.19m | 8:51AM0.26m | 11:15PM0.18m | 9:31AM0.27m | 10:17AM0.28m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 00:36AM0.06m | 12:28PM0.15m | 1:09AM0.09m | 1:45PM0.15m | 1:37AM0.12m | 3:11PM0.13m | 2:00AM0.15m | 4:36PM0.12m | 2:16AM0.18m | 5:45PM0.11m | 6:39PM0.09m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — |
 | 7:45 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:42 | — |
mm | 6 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 4 | SE 6 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 31 | 27 | 25 | 15 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | E 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ENE 5 | N 4 | SE 5 | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | SSE 5 | SE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 668 | 668 | 712 | 668 | 668 | 712 | 582 | 649 | 712 | 677 | 677 | 1240 | 680 | 680 | 1251 | 677 | 649 | 649 | 649 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Korea | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Korea | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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