Torrey Pines State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Bit of a flat spell ahead for Torrey Pines State Beach, I’m afraid. The next week and a half is looking pretty grim, with only a slow nudge toward something worth getting wet for right at the tail end.

Sun 13 Sep starts with a tiny 1 ft south-west swell, but the period is a very long 19 seconds and the combined energy is a weak 273. Light offshore wind from the west, but the waves are so poor it’s not worth paddling out. The water is sitting at a very unusual 73°, a whopping 6° above normal for this time of year.

From Mon 14 through to Thu 25 Sep, it’s a string of poor surf days. You’ll see a few 2 ft to 3 ft swells from the south-west or south-south-west, but the winds are mostly cross-onshore from the SSW or WSW at 6 to 9 mph, keeping things choppy and messy. Combined energy jumps around between 273 and 736, which is at best moderate, but the waves just aren’t forming up. The occasional lighter west or WNW wind tries to help, but it’s not enough. A couple of small groundswells show periods up to 19 seconds, but they lack the size to do anything.

Then from Sat 19 Sep morning through to Mon 21 Sep afternoon, things bump up to a *marginal* rating. The swell remains south-west around 3 ft to 4 ft, with periods around 17 to 18 seconds. The combined energy climbs into the 519 to 736 range. Winds are light from the west or WSW, mostly cross-onshore but light enough to keep the surface fairly clean. Still, it’s not firing—just enough to maybe get a longboard out if you’re desperate.

The only real standout comes on Sun 27 Sep afternoon. That’s the first time we see a score of 2 out of 10. Swell is just 2 ft from the south-west, but look at that period—21 seconds, very long. Combined energy jumps to 520. Winds are light onshore from the WSW, but the wave comment flips to marginal. That long-period groundswell might wrap in with some shape, but it’s small and needs the right tide. Because the period is so long, the breaks could be a bit too straight for a beach break, but at least it’s something. Still not worth a big mission.

Mon 28 Sep morning is similar: 2 ft, 20 seconds, 565 energy, but the wind is cross-onshore from the SW at 6 mph, adding a few ripples. The afternoon bumps to 2 ft, 20 seconds, and 625 energy, but the wind picks up to 9 mph from the WSW. Still marginal at best.

Honestly, this is a tough run. The surf is just too small and inconsistent all the way through to the end of September. Even the best days are only marginal. If you’re a beginner, the tiny swells on the marginal days could be rideable on a foamie, but don’t expect any punch. For experienced surfers, there’s nothing worth chasing until possibly that very last Sunday, and even that’s a gamble. This stretch looks more suited to a paddleboard or just sitting on the beach.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the charts—it doesn’t tend to stay this quiet forever around here.

Rusty.

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