Ventura Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checkin’ in from the Ventura coast. I’ve gotta be straight with you—this 16-day run is a real tough stretch. The forecast is a flat, frustrating patch with no real surf to get excited about. We’re talking a solid 16 days of poor conditions, so don’t go paddlin’ out expectin’ much.

The only spot on the radar is Ventura Point (California), a reef and point break that’s beginner-friendly and very consistent, but it’s just not gettin’ the love. The water’s runnin’ at 71°F which is much warmer than normal for this time of year—about 7°F above the average, which is a proper standout if you’re just after a swim.

The first hint of any swell is Tuesday, August 25th, with a tiny 1ft SW groundswell, period at a long 16 seconds, but the energy is weak (141). The wind’s blowin’ light onshore, and the wave comment is “poor surf conditions.” That’s the story for the whole forecast. Wednesday the 26th sees a little bump to 3ft S swell, period 13 seconds, with moderate energy (299) and a light cross-onshore breeze, but it’s still a “marginal” call. Thursday the 27th drops back to 2ft, and it just stays in that 1ft to 3ft range all the way through to September 9th.

The longest period we see is 19 seconds on Friday the 28th, but it’s a weak 1ft SSW swell—that’s all energy and no push, and the wind’s cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and messy. The combined energy rarely tops 300, with most days sittin’ in the 100–200 range, which is weak stuff. The wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, from the WSW or SW, blowin’ 6–9 mph, and that’s not helpin’ the small waves.

There’s no standout session here. The best of a bad bunch is Wednesday morning, August 26th, when the swell hits 3ft from the S, period 13 seconds, and the combined energy is 299. It’s the highest swell we get, but the wind’s light cross-onshore, and it’s still a “marginal” call. Thursday, September 3rd, has a 1ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period and light onshore wind, but it’s too small to do anythin’ with.

For the first week, from August 25th to September 1st, it’s all poor surf. The second week, from September 2nd to 9th, is more of the same: tiny swells, weak energy, and onshore winds. The point break setup might save a few sloppy lines, but with the swell this small and the wind workin’ against it, you’re better off leavin’ the board at home.

This is a classic Ventura lull. It’s normal for the area to go quiet like this, and forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothin’ worth paddlin’ out for. If the wind was stronger and the swell bigger, this beach-and-reef setup would look more interesting for kite surfers, but for paddle surfers, it’s a no-go.

Stay patient, mates. The ocean’s just takin’ a breather. Rusty out.

Read more