Torrey Pines State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about this stretch of coast. The next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag. We’ve got a long stretch of pretty poor conditions to start with, but there’s a flicker of something better towards the end.

The first week is a bit of a grind. We’re looking at Torrey Pines State Beach, and the swell is tiny and inconsistent. From Sunday the 23rd through to Tuesday the 1st of September, the surf is mostly just a wash. The swell height is hanging around 2ft to 3ft, direction is mainly from the SW, with a period that’s all over the place. The wave energy is weak, mostly in the 100-400 range, and the wind is often onshore or cross-onshore, messing up what little shape there is. It’s a tough run for a paddle.

The only real glimmer in the first week comes on the morning of Sunday the 30th of August. The swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSW, with a period of 15 seconds. The energy is moderate at 755. Even though the wind is a light cross-onshore, the long period means there’s some potential for a cleaner wave if you pick your spot. It’s a marginal call, but the best of a bad lot.

Then we hit a bit of a dry spell. The start of September is bleak. Swell drops off, wind is messy, and the energy is low. It’s not a great time to be in the water.

Now, for the true standout. The best chance of the whole outlook is on Sunday the 6th of September. The forecast shows a 3ft swell from the SSW, with a 15-second period, and the killer is the wind. It’s forecast to be glassy with a slight air and a north wind at just 5 km/h. That’s about as clean as it gets. The combined energy is moderate at 446. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell direction is SSW, which is not the absolute optimum for Torrey Pines (which likes WNW), but when you get glassy conditions, you take what you can get. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

The following Monday morning, the 7th of September, will see the swell drop back down to 3ft with a lighter 14-second period and a light cross-onshore wind. It’s a definite step down from the glassy Sunday.

So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly a write-off. Hang tight. The real window is Sunday the 6th of September. The glassy conditions at Torrey Pines State Beach make it the only proper standout. Expect crowds, as it’s a spot that gets busy. The swell is small but clean, and the conditions are as good as they get. Anything after that is a drop-off.

Rusty.

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