23 Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s cooking for 23 Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, long dry spell with next to no surf worth paddling out for. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Saturday the 22nd of August, and even then it’s got some strings attached. Before that, we’re talking about days on end of weak, choppy junk.

From the 8th all the way through to the 21st, it’s a bleak picture. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1 ft to 4 ft, and the period is short – just 6 to 8 seconds – so there’s zero push. The wind is constantly cross-onshore or onshore, from the north and north-northwest, chewing up whatever dribble is out there. The combined energy is weak, barely registering in the low double digits or triple digits at best (95–271). It’s just a mess of wind chop. This is a solid two-week gap of nothing worth mentioning.

Now, let’s talk about the one standout that might, just might, give us something to work with.

Saturday, August 22nd – Morning Session

Alright, this is the only real chance in the whole outlook. On Saturday morning the 22nd, we finally see a pulse of proper swell roll in. The summary swell height is 6 ft from the northwest, with a period of 10 seconds – that’s a solid groundswell, not just wind slop. The combined energy jumps right up to 741, which is moderate to strong energy, so there’s some real power out there.

The wind is light from the north-northeast at just 3 mph, making it a cross-on breeze, but it’s a slight air – practically glassy. That’s a major positive; the surface should be clean, especially early. The water temperature is sitting at 73°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Now, the bad news: the wave comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so it’s not a guaranteed winner. But given the size and the clean wind, this is the one session to circle on your calendar. With 6 ft from the NW, it’s going to be a bit much for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the best we’ll get. The break is exposed to the swell, and the optimum direction is NW, so it’s lining up nicely. Just keep in mind that crowds are possible here, so expect a few others with the same idea.

After that, the following days drop off again. Sunday the 23rd has 5 ft from the NW, but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s back to mediocrity.

So, bottom line: if you’re a seasoned surfer, make a plan for the morning of Saturday the 22nd. For everyone else, it’s a waiting game. The forecast can always change, but as it stands, we’ve got one shot in this whole 16-day window.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

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