Surf Forecasts:
Californias surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with 5,612 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with ENE 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Californias in the next 16 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (JST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Californias over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's on the cards for Californias over the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a slow start, but hang in there – a couple of days are going to fire up proper.
Right now, Friday the 21st of August through to Monday the 24th is a complete write-off. We're looking at a risk of thunderstorms and strong cross-off winds ripping in at 22 to 25 mph. There's just no swell on offer, with the combined energy flat out at zero. Absolutely nothing for the paddle board. For nearly four days straight, the Pacific is just flat and messy. Don't bother.
But Tuesday the 25th of August kicks into life, and it is a standout. We get a solid 8 ft east swell with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is a thumping 4182, so you're feeling that deep water power. Winds are gentle from the ENE and offshore, which will have the lineup glassy and clean. Now, this is a reef break at Californias, and with that east direction matching the optimum, it should line up properly. The offshore wind really seals the deal here. Just a heads up – at 8 ft, this one is strictly for advanced crew. The current is real and the sets have serious weight. It's a fairly consistent spot, so you'll get your share, but it can be crowded (often), so expect company. This is the best session in the window, no question.
Wednesday the 26th of August is another absolute barn burner, but for a different crowd. The morning pushes 12 ft from the NNW with an 11-second period, and the combined energy rockets to 5353. The afternoon is a 16 ft beast from the WNW. This is huge, thick, expert-only territory. The wind stays light, so the surface will be smooth, but those waves are heavy and unforgiving. This is not beginner or intermediate territory.
Thursday the 27th sees the swell drop off sharply to a tiny 2 ft, so a rest day. Friday the 28th picks up a bit with a 5 ft west swell and offshore winds, but only 2/10 quality, so nothing special.
Then we hit a long dry spell. From Saturday the 29th of August right through until around Tuesday the 1st of September, it's almost all zeros – flat and blown out. That's about four days of no surf to speak of.
Finally, around Tuesday the 1st of September, we see a return of east swell at 3 ft to 4 ft with a long 14-second period. Combined energy sits at 388-478, so it's low energy but clean with moderate offshore winds. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary. Expect some clean, small waves for the longboard. The rest of the first week of September stays in the 3 ft to 5 ft range but with cross-off winds and marginal tide conditions, so nothing to get overly excited about by that point.
To wrap it up – the clear standouts are Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th of August. Tuesday is the pick for experienced surfers who want a clean, powerful east swell with glassy morning conditions. Wednesday is the big-wave, expert-only day with epic power. Everything else is pretty underwhelming.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the ESE on Thu night, strong winds from the SE by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 27°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | SE 6 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 14 | SSE 9 | E 13 | S 9 | W 6 | SSW 10 | ESE 17 | ESE 17 | E 7 | E 17 | E 16 | ENE 14 | NNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 4182 | 3026 | 862 | 3405 | 5612 | 2129 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:42PM1.80m | 2:15PM1.40m | 00:33AM1.69m | 5:17PM1.48m | 2:15AM1.61m | 6:02PM1.61m | 4:01AM1.63m | 6:26PM1.73m | 5:05AM1.73m | 6:47PM1.83m | 5:50AM1.85m | 7:07PM1.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:13AM0.83m | 6:02PM1.32m | 8:53AM0.84m | 8:41PM1.43m | 10:25AM0.77m | 11:03PM1.37m | 11:21AM0.66m | 11:53PM1.25m | 12:00PM0.54m | 00:24AM1.12m | 12:33PM0.45m | 00:51AM0.99m | |||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | |
mm | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 8 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | ESE 17 | ESE 17 | ESE 18 | E 17 | E 16 | NNE 8 | NNW 11 | E 12 | WNW 10 |
99 | 57 | 59 | 99 | 52 | 120 | 154 | 212 | 220 | 197 | 576 | 1312 | 3365 | 4182 | 3026 | 534 | 3405 | 68 | 2129 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | S 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 14 | — | E 9 | SW 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 16 | SW 10 | S 8 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | ENE 14 | E 11 | SE 10 | E 9 |
13 | 47 | 14 | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 59 | 18 | 49 | 94 | 69 | 99 | 55 | 54 | 862 | 39 | 16 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | ESE 14 | W 6 | ESE 12 | S 8 | SW 9 | ENE 10 | — | — | SSW 9 | E 15 | SSE 10 | E 13 |
4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 20 | 1 | 30 | 33 | 42 | 36 | — | — | 56 | 17 | 10 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | NNE 5 | N 6 | NW 6 | W 9 | WNW 11 | SSW 8 |
97 | 94 | 730 | 1306 | 992 | 909 | 287 | 93 | 87 | 77 | 55 | 92 | 92 | 107 | 263 | 216 | 1892 | 5612 | 824 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 601 | 601 | 601 | 609 | 601 | 601 | 657 | 657 | 657 | 744 | 657 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











