38 Line Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.00° N 128.73° E

38 Line Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's 38 Line sea temperature is
26.9°C
3.2° 

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 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, ENE swell with 2,087 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (KST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 29th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 4th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)11ft (3.5m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down 38 Line. This forecast is a real mixed bag – a whole lot of waiting before the ocean finally cleans up and gives us something worth paddling out for.

Right now, through late August and into the first few days of September, it’s pretty poor. Thursday the 27th is flat, with a weak 1ft NE windswell and a light cross breeze – not worth suiting up. Friday and Saturday don’t improve much, with small, junky waves and onshore winds. The water is much warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 80°F, which is over 5°F above average – that’s very unusual.

Sunday the 30th offers the first tiny window of hope. Early morning we get glassy conditions and a clean 3ft swell from the NE with a 8-second period. The energy is moderate, but the waves are only surfable, nothing special. That window closes fast as the wind swings onshore by the afternoon.

Then things go completely sideways. Starting in September, we’re looking at a big, powerful, but very messy swell train. Monday the 2nd sees the swell building to 5ft, but with a strong cross-onshore wind at 25 mph, it’s a lumpy, blown-out mess. By Wednesday the 4th, we’re looking at 12ft swell with a 9-second period – the energy is incredibly strong – but the wind is still hammering it onshore. This is big, raw, and not for paddle surfing; this setup is more interesting for kite surfing than anything else. It stays big and ugly right through until the 7th.

Finally, a change on Monday the 7th of September. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the WNW, and we’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the ENE with an 8-second period. The energy is very strong, and conditions are reported as very good. This is the standout. The water is still warm, and the break will be exposed to this east energy. Expect clean faces and proper waves. Keep in mind, at 8ft, this is pushing into expert territory – not for beginners.

Tuesday the 8th holds a smaller 6ft NE swell with clean wind, and Wednesday the 9th is even better: 5ft NE swell with light offshore, glassy morning conditions. These are the days to circle. The period is around 8 seconds, so it’s a shorter-period windswell, but with good winds, 38 Line will offer some fun, rippable sections.

The 11th brings one more clean morning with 4ft NE swell and offshore wind, but the afternoon gets choppy.

Overall, the first week-plus is a write-off. The real action kicks in around the 7th through the 9th of September. That Monday morning with the 8ft swell and clean offshore breeze is your best bet. It’s a long wait, but it should be worth it.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 204mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 25°C on Sun night, min 20°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the NE by Wed afternoon).

Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
6
0.6
NE
5
0.6
NE
5
0.7
E
5
0.9
ESE
6
0.8
ESE
6
1.1
NE
8
0.9
E
7
0.6
NE
7
0.6
E
6
0.5
E
6
0.4
E
6
0.3
NE
6
0.4
NE
5
0.9
ENE
5
1.1
ENE
6
1.5
E
7
2.2
ENE
7
2
ENE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
10
21
14
25
55
46
165
72
37
28
18
10
5
7
49
92
220
449
415
Wind (km/h)
0
NNE
5
NNE
10
SE
5
E
10
N
25
NNW
10
NNW
0
N
10
SSE
10
SW
5
N
5
ENE
10
NW
25
N
25
ENE
25
NE
35
NNE
35
NE
45
NNE
Wind State
glassy
glassy
cross-on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
3:51AM0.23m
2:35PM0.31m
4:08AM0.23m
3:17PM0.30m
4:26AM0.24m
4:02PM0.29m
4:46AM0.25m
4:50PM0.27m
5:09AM0.26m
5:46PM0.25m
5:36AM0.27m
6:55PM0.22m
Low Tide
9:17PM0.04m
8:32AM0.16m
9:46PM0.05m
9:12AM0.14m
10:13PM0.06m
9:54AM0.12m
10:40PM0.08m
10:40AM0.11m
11:05PM0.11m
11:31AM0.09m
11:30PM0.13m
12:29PM0.09m
11:52PM0.16m
cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:50
5:50
5:52
5:52
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:02
7:00
7:00
6:59
6:57
6:55
6:53
 mm
11
1
9
34
28
81
35
17
53
Temp °C
24
25
25
23
23
23
23
24
25
25
24
25
23
22
22
22
22
22
22
Feels °C
28
28
27
27
26
22
25
28
28
27
26
27
24
23
22
22
20
19
19
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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