Surf Forecasts:
Capitola Rivermouth surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 603 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Capitola Rivermouth this week:
The surf forecast for Capitola Rivermouth over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Capitola Rivermouth in the next 16 days are 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Capitola Rivermouth over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – the next couple of weeks aren't looking great for a proper paddle. The only wave we've got to talk about is Capitola Rivermouth, a beginner-friendly beach/jetty spot. Things kick off from Tuesday morning, September 1st. Water temps are sitting about average for this time of year at 60°.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Tuesday the 1st has some faint 2ft swell coming out of the SSW, but the wind is on it and the waves are just junky. Wednesday the 2nd drops even smaller to 1ft. That long period of 16 seconds is a tease because the swell energy is weak (combined energy of all swells directed here of 183) with cross-onshore wind chopping it up.
We finally see a bit of a pulse on Thursday the 3rd. The swell picks up to 2ft from the SW, and the period jumps to a very long 19 seconds. That groundswell brings some proper energy (combined energy of all swells directed here of 503), and with just a light cross-onshore breeze, it's about as good as it's going to get. This is the one true standout. For a small wave, it'll have shape, and the long gaps between sets will make paddling out a dream. You'll want a high-tide bank to handle that long period. But bear in mind, the jetty can get a crowd, and "sometimes" it can be busy.
The consistency drops off quickly. Friday the 4th still has some waist-high 3ft waves from the SSW (combined energy of all swells directed here of 723), but by afternoon the wind swings onshore and it turns into a washing machine. Saturday and Sunday the 5th and 6th are similar: marginal at best.
After that, there's a real desert. From Monday the 7th through to Wednesday the 16th of September, the swell drops below 2ft and energy numbers tank. There are a few glassy morning windows on the 8th, 9th, and 15th, but the swell is tiny and weak. If you’re a beginner, the 3rd and 4th are your best shot, but don't expect much. For a more experienced surfer, honestly, the setup is more interesting for a kite than a paddle over most of this window.
That's the long story short: one brief pulse of clean, chest-high groundswell on Thursday the 3rd, and then a long stretch of flat or choppy leftovers. Keep an eye on it, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 154 | 116 | 111 | 93 | 129 | 193 | 376 | 368 | 497 | 480 | 524 | 499 | 469 | 457 | 468 | 334 | 263 | 329 | 411 | 280 | 125 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:39PM2.02m | 2:56AM1.43m | 2:22PM2.04m | 4:32AM1.35m | 3:16PM2.05m | 6:27AM1.36m | 4:24PM2.05m | 7:51AM1.44m | 5:40PM2.08m | 8:40AM1.53m | 6:52PM2.13m | 9:17AM1.63m | 7:56PM2.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:44PM0.59m | 7:44AM1.04m | 9:54PM0.54m | 8:25AM1.17m | 11:13PM0.47m | 9:30AM1.28m | 00:28AM0.37m | 11:09AM1.33m | 1:32AM0.27m | 12:42PM1.28m | 2:25AM0.19m | 1:54PM1.17m | 3:11AM0.16m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 19 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 154 | 116 | 98 | 90 | 119 | 141 | 376 | 119 | 190 | 289 | 211 | 499 | 469 | 457 | 468 | 334 | 239 | 329 | 411 | 280 | 134 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | SSE 11 | SW 18 | NW 10 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | S 11 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSE 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 20 | 25 | 111 | 25 | 129 | 193 | 127 | 368 | 497 | 480 | 524 | 178 | 98 | 70 | 54 | 55 | 263 | 239 | 183 | 125 | 125 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSE 16 | S 15 | SW 11 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 28 | 50 | 12 | 93 | 23 | 47 | 65 | 70 | 150 | 91 | 192 | 77 | 81 | 64 | 53 | 121 | 29 | 29 | 21 | 36 | 105 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 6 | — |
| kJ | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 31 | — | — | 81 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 45 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 343 | 0 | 124 | 147 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Capitola Rivermouth Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Capitola Rivermouth provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Capitola Rivermouth can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Capitola Rivermouth 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 (Capitola Rivermouth) 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 Capitola Rivermouth 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.
Capitola Rivermouth is 3 km (2 miles) from the city of Live Oak. If you plan a vacation in Santa Cruz, look for hotels and other accommodation in Live Oak. Live Oak has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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