Torrey Pines State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a pretty flat and quiet stretch ahead for our stretch of coast. We’re looking at a long, slow run of small, weak swell and mostly cross-onshore or onshore breezes that don’t do us any favours. The waves are tiny, the energy is low, and the conditions are marginal at best. There’s nothing that screams "go now," but there are a couple of afternoons that might just be worth a paddle if you’re desperate.

The first recommendation doesn’t come until Friday the 21st, and even then it’s a 2ft SSW swell with a period of 13 seconds, so it’s a bit of a long-period groundswell for a beach break. The wind is light and cross-on, which isn't ideal but not terrible. Water temps are about average for this time of year, nothing unusual to report. The combined energy is only 258 – weak stuff.

Saturday the 22nd stays small and onshore, with a 3ft SSW swell and light onshore wind. Again, just marginal. Sunday the 23rd keeps the tiny theme with 2ft SW swell, but that period stretches to 19 seconds – very long period. That's a classic groundswell that can peel better at points or reefs, but at a beach break like Torrey Pines, it might just close out. Light onshore wind though, so it’ll be glassy in the morning, just tiny.

The most interesting bump shows up around Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. On Saturday the 29th afternoon, we see a 4ft SSW swell with a 16-second period and light onshore wind. The combined energy jumps to 963 – that’s moderate energy, the best we’ve got in the whole 16-day window. Sunday the 30th holds a 4ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and light onshore wind. Both days are still only marginal, but the swell height is the biggest of the run and the wind is light and onshore, which keeps it clean. If you can wait, that Saturday afternoon into Sunday is your best chance for something with a bit of push, though the long period might make it tricky for the beach break.

After that, Monday the 1st of September and the first week of September drop back to tiny, poor conditions with onshore or cross-onshore winds and combined energy in the 200s to 400s. It’s a real grind.

So, for the standout: I’d circle Saturday the 29th of August afternoon. That 4ft SSW swell, with 16 seconds of period and light onshore wind, gives us the most size and the cleanest surface we’ll see. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best of a quiet bunch.

Keep your expectations low and your eyes on the sky. Things might change, but right now it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more