
Surf Forecasts:
Californias surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, N swell with 382 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Californias this week:
The surf forecast for Californias over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Californias in the next 16 days are 1.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 11s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Californias over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Looking at the outlook for Californias, it’s a pretty ordinary run for the next two and a half weeks. There’s a big gap of nothing worthwhile before we finally get a little window, but even then, it’s far from perfect. The water temp is sitting at a very average 83°, nothing unusual for the time of year.
We kick off Thursday September 3rd with a risk of thunderstorms, 19 mph cross-winds from the NW and only 5ft of short-period east swell. It’s a messy, moderate cross-shore chop without any punch – not worth paddling out. Friday the 4th is worse, with onshore and cross-onshore winds, tiny swell, and again poor conditions all day. Saturday the 5th is a write-off with moderate cross-onshore winds and lumpy surf in the morning. The afternoon cleans up a little with a light cross-off breeze, but the swell is tiny at 3ft – barely a ripple.
Sunday the 6th is the only real standout in the first week. Sunday morning brings clear skies and a clean 5ft north swell with a moderate offshore breeze from the NE. The period at 9 seconds gives it a bit of shape, and the wave energy is moderate (397). It’s a decent chance for a few fun ones, though it’s a break that’s fairly consistent and usually has a crowd. If you can get out early, it’s the best of a weak bunch. Sunday afternoon drops off a touch but stays clean.
Then we hit a dead zone. From Monday the 7th right through to Friday the 11th, it’s all clean but gutless – short-period swell under 5ft, low energy, and cross-off winds. These are poor surf conditions despite the tidy look. Saturday the 12th is a joke – only 1ft of east groundswell at a very long 14-second period, with weak energy (60). That’s barely a ripple, even offshore.
We get a slight lift from Sunday the 13th to Tuesday the 15th, with chest-high east swell around 4ft, offshore breezes, and moderate energy (around 184 to 263). The comment says surfable but very ordinary, and honestly, that’s the truth. It’s clean, but nothing to get excited about.
Wednesday the 16th afternoon is the second notable moment. We see an 8ft east swell at 10 seconds, with a very strong combined energy of 1327. That’s serious power, but with a clean cross-off breeze, it’s only for experts – this is too big for most. The period is medium, so it’ll wall up at this reef break, but it’s marginal due to tide or conditions. If you’re experienced and hungry, it might be worth a look.
After that, from Thursday the 17th onward, it’s back to tiny swells, light cross-shore winds, and zero energy. The last few days of the forecast are flat.
Bottom line: Sunday the 6th morning is your best bet for a clean, fun session. Wednesday the 16th afternoon is for the brave and skilled only. The rest is a long, quiet stretch. Don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 27°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
498 | 164 | 61 | 26 | 80 | 258 | 102 | 189 | 382 | 241 | 251 | 108 | 132 | 262 | 166 | 160 | 251 | 220 | 187 | 143 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:46PM1.98m | 12:27PM1.61m | 11:36PM1.86m | 2:36PM1.53m | 1:00AM1.75m | 4:38PM1.63m | 3:05AM1.74m | 5:34PM1.77m | 4:36AM1.86m | 6:12PM1.90m | 5:37AM2.01m | 6:43PM2.00m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:45PM1.00m | 5:47AM0.54m | 5:33PM1.19m | 7:11AM0.62m | 7:06PM1.35m | 8:59AM0.62m | 9:37PM1.34m | 10:29AM0.52m | 11:02PM1.18m | 11:31AM0.41m | 11:53PM0.98m | 12:17PM0.33m | 00:33AM0.78m | |||||||
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:40 | — | |
mm | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | N 7 | N 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 10 | SSW 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | N 7 |
498 | 106 | 49 | 22 | 80 | 258 | 177 | 189 | 382 | 241 | 7 | 17 | 31 | 10 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 143 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 9 | N 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | S 8 | SW 8 | NE 12 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
232 | 205 | 61 | 36 | 21 | 165 | 102 | 54 | 58 | 39 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | E 10 | WNW 5 | N 7 | NW 9 | ESE 7 | W 6 | SW 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SW 8 | NE 12 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | ESE 10 |
5 | 164 | 10 | 26 | 13 | 10 | 37 | 34 | 15 | 26 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | SW 3 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | W 6 | ESE 7 | E 4 | E 5 | ENE 5 | N 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 |
165 | 14 | 533 | 416 | 327 | 85 | 15 | 31 | 21 | 25 | 251 | 108 | 132 | 262 | 166 | 160 | 251 | 220 | 187 | 79 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 609 | 657 | 762 | 609 | 777 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 733 | 775 | 733 | 733 | 742 | 657 | 609 | 658 | 767 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Okinawa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Californias Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Californias provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Californias can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Californias surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Californias) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Californias may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Californias is 5 km (3 miles) from Misato. If you plan a holiday in Okinawa, look for hotels and other accommodation in Misato. Misato has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










