Surf Forecasts:
38 Line surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, NNE swell with 234 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with NNE 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 4s is also forecast. 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 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (KST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 38 Line over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’ll be honest with you. The surf is completely flat for a long stretch here. We’re looking at almost nothing rideable for a week and a half, starting now. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn’t show up until Thursday, August 27th, and the paddling only gets worthwhile from there.
The water temperature at 38 Line is sitting at 25°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.
The first hint of life comes on Thursday, August 27th morning. A NNE swell of 5 feet rolls in with a short period of 7 seconds, and combined energy is moderate at 235. The wind is NNW and cross-offshore, keeping it clean. It’s not massive, but it’s the first proper surfable bump in ages. The afternoon gets messy with rain and a cross-chop from the wind, so that morning window is the one to target.
Friday, August 28th morning sees the swell picking up to 6 feet from the NE with a period of 9 seconds and combined energy climbing to a strong 599. The wind is cross-on though, making it choppy and a bit of a battle. This is for the keen crew only, and it’s rated marginal.
The standout of the whole forecast is Saturday, August 29th. Both morning and afternoon offer 6 feet to 5 feet of ENE swell, period around 8 seconds, and combined energy strong at 383–287. The wind goes glassy, light from the north, so the surface will be clean. This is the best on offer, with a bit of size and no wind ruining it. It’s still a peaky, short-period swell, so expect some bumpy drops, but it’ll be fun.
Sunday, August 30th has smaller 4 feet swell with light offshore wind, but it’s ordinary and heavy rain is likely. The rest of the run into early September fades fast, with tiny waves and onshore wind taking over. The last few days of the forecast are small and blown out by strong NE winds, so it’s not worth getting excited about.
Overall, keep your eyes on Thursday 27th morning for the first session, and definitely Saturday 29th for the cleanest, biggest day.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSE 5 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | E 5 | NE 9 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | SSE 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 | — | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 22 | 48 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:17AM0.28m | 9:15AM0.28m | 10:25AM0.29m | 3:19AM0.23m | 3:14AM0.23m | 12:24PM0.31m | 3:22AM0.23m | 1:10PM0.31m | |||||||||||||
Low Tide | 3:45PM0.11m | 5:04PM0.11m | 6:08PM0.10m | 6:57PM0.08m | 5:32AM0.23m | 7:38PM0.07m | 6:31AM0.22m | 8:14PM0.06m | 7:14AM0.20m | 8:47PM0.05m | |||||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | E 5 | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | NE 7 | SE 4 | SE 4 | NW 4 | ESE 3 | — | — | — | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | 22 | 48 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 37 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | — | ESE 4 | SSE 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 | — | — | NNE 2 | N 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 668 | 712 | 668 | 649 | 707 | 668 | 582 | 707 | 569 | 569 | 707 | 569 | 569 | 569 | 569 | 569 | 569 | 569 | 569 | 1017 | 16 |
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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