Surf Forecasts:
38 Line surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, SE swell with 98 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s 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 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 5s. 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 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (KST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 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 cookin’ for 38 Line. I gotta be straight with you – the first week and a half is a tough one. We’ve got a whole lot of nothing for days, and it’s not until the very end of the run that we see a pulse.
The forecast starts with a long, dry spell. The first few days bring nothing but tiny, weak ripples. The swell energy is barely registering, with values like 7 (combined energy of all swells directed here) and 5 (combined energy of all swells directed here). It’s flat, plain and simple. Monday the 18th through to the middle of the next week offer a few moments of glassy conditions, but the swell is just too small to bother with, with heights barely cracking 3ft. The water temp is sitting at 77°, which is about normal for this time of year, but that’s little comfort when there’s no waves.
We finally see a bit more consistent energy around Sunday the 23rd, with a clean 2ft from the ENE, but the energy is still low at 50 (combined energy of all swells directed here). It’s a tease, really. The next few days are a mix of cross-offshore breezes and glass, but the swell remains weak and inconsistent.
Now, the real standout is right at the end of the window. On Sunday the 30th of August, a solid 10ft swell from the ENE is forecast to roll in, with the combined energy hitting 857 (combined energy of all swells directed here). Wind is looking clean and cross-offshore in the morning, which is a mouthwatering combo. But that size – 10ft – is a beast. This is a strictly expert-only session. The water will be powerful and the lineup will be a freight train. For the experienced crew, this is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but the potential is there.
The morning of Monday the 31st of August is also a stunner for the big-wave hunters. Clean, glassy conditions with an 8ft swell from the E (combined energy of all swells directed here: 1614). That’s serious energy. Again, this is for the well-equipped and experienced only. Beginners and intermediates steer well clear – this is a heavy, powerful ocean.
The afternoon of the 31st drops off a bit, with onshore winds and a dropping swell, so the magic window is tight.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a washout. Save your energy. The only two real moments of glory are Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st, and they are for the expert crew only. It’s a classic case of "wait for it."
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 6 | SE 3 | SE 5 | SE 6 | E 6 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | SSE 5 | N 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | E 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 3 | 58 | 54 | 23 | 35 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 34 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 9:15AM0.28m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:08PM0.10m | ||||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — |
 | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — |
mm | 10 | — | — | — | 1 | 9 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | SE 6 | E 6 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 5 | SSE 5 | N 3 | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | E 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 1 | 54 | 23 | 35 | 16 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 34 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | — | — | E 7 | SSE 6 | ESE 5 | NE 4 | NE 4 | SSE 5 | — | ESE 6 | SE 4 | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | 4 | 16 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | — | — | SSE 9 | S 8 | NE 5 | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 58 | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 24 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 668 | 1017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 626 | 634 | 634 | 668 | 1028 | 569 | 668 | 707 | 668 | 668 | 707 | 668 | 582 | 707 | 582 |
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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