Surf Forecasts:
38 Line surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, ESE swell with 208 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) 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 0.3m 2s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (KST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 38 Line over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s talk about what’s on the menu. This outlook is for the 38 Line area, and it’s a bit of a slow cooker, not a microwave dinner. Right now, we’re looking at a glassy but flat start. The next few days are pretty much a write-off, with tiny waves and poor conditions. You’d be better off checking the tide pools than your board. This dry spell will last from now until around Saturday the 22nd of August.
We finally get a kick on Saturday the 22nd. The morning brings a clean 4ft swell from the ESE, with a period of 7 seconds and a combined energy of 227 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNW, which is going to give us some clean lines. It’s not huge, but it’s the first real sign of life. The afternoon holds a bit more size at 5ft, but the wind picks up to a moderate 12 mph cross-off, making it a bit more of a handful. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Sunday the 23rd backs off a bit, and the light cross-shore wind won't help the shape much. Not a standout.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Keep your eyes on Friday the 28th of August. The morning session is a proper standout. We’re looking at a clean, glassy 5ft swell from the NE. The period is only 6 seconds, so it’s a short-period wind swell, but the wave energy is a solid 207 (moderate) and with that glassy water, it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. The 38 Line handles this direction well. This is the best bet for the intermediate surfer who wants to get some clean, punchy waves without the crowd.
However, for the big dogs, the real draw is the weekend of the 29th and 30th of August. This is for experts only. The swell absolutely pumps, but it’s going to be massive. On Saturday the 29th, the morning is already showing a 10ft NE swell with a period of 8 seconds and a massive combined energy of 1435 (strong). The conditions are clean with a light cross-off wind, but it’s a beast. By that afternoon, it’s hitting 15ft with a 10-second period and a whopping 3441 energy (very strong). Sunday the 30th is the peak of the swell, with a 12ft NNE groundswell (12-second period) and a combined energy of 5570 (very strong). It’s dead glassy in the morning. This is a major, powerful swell. For 38 Line, a beach break, that long period groundswell might make it a bit challenging, but the sheer power will be a sight to see. It’s too big for anyone but the most experienced, but if you have the skills, the morning of the 30th is the absolute pinnacle.
The forecast cools down again by Monday the 31st, dropping back to a cleaner, more manageable 4ft from the ENE.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. Your best day for a manageable, fun surf is the morning of Friday the 28th of August. For the big-wave chargers, the morning of Sunday the 30th of August is the one to circle, but be prepared for a heavy session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 5 | ENE 6 | SE 3 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | N 4 | — | — | E 6 | ESE 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 25 | 16 | 39 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 5:34AM0.24m | 5:14PM0.27m | 5:58AM0.25m | 6:07PM0.24m | 6:24AM0.26m | 7:10PM0.21m | 6:53AM0.27m | 8:43PM0.19m | 7:28AM0.27m | 8:17AM0.28m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:18PM0.06m | 11:12AM0.12m | 11:46PM0.09m | 12:08PM0.12m | 00:08AM0.13m | 1:10PM0.12m | 00:22AM0.16m | 2:22PM0.12m | 00:18AM0.18m | 3:45PM0.11m | 5:04PM0.11m | ||||||||
— | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | |
7:19 | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:10 | — | |
mm | — | 13 | — | — | — | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 |
Temp °C | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | N 4 | — | — | — | ESE 5 |
4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 16 | 39 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | — | ESE 4 | — | — | — | SE 6 |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 4 | — | — | — | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | E 6 | — | — | E 5 | — | — | SE 4 | — | — | E 6 | — |
— | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | — | NNW 2 | — | — | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | NNW 2 |
— | — | 2 | 33 | — | 1 | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 668 | 671 | 1017 | 671 | 671 | 707 | 0 | 626 | 626 | 634 | 668 | 707 | 668 | 668 | 668 | 668 | 668 | 707 | 676 |
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.











