Surf Forecasts:
Capitola Rivermouth surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, SSW swell with 1,051 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period with SW 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s 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 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Capitola Rivermouth over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.
Alright, looking at the whole 16-day window, it’s a mixed bag here at Capitola Rivermouth. We’ve got a long wait for anything decent, and even then it’s not going to be epic. The water is running much warmer than normal for this time of year at 62°, a solid 5° above average, which is pretty notable.
The first few days, from Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th, are a total write-off. Tiny, poor surf with onshore winds. Don’t bother.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday the 20th. The morning session is the standout for the early part of the week. It’s glassy, with a calm wind, and the swell is a clean 2 ft from the SW, with a period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (460). The wave state is glassy, which is a huge plus. It’s a beginner-friendly break, so it’s going to be perfect for a longboard or a foamy. The afternoon goes onshore, so get it while it’s good.
Tuesday the 21st is more of a mixed bag. The morning is glassy again with a 5 ft swell from the S at 14 seconds. The combined energy is strong (836). This is pushing the limit for beginners, but it’ll be fun for those with a bit of experience. The afternoon wind picks up to 12 mph from the SW, which will mess it up.
Wednesday the 22nd morning is another decent option with glassy conditions and a 3 ft SSW swell at 15 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (564). But again, the afternoon turns onshore.
After that, from Thursday the 23rd through to the end of the month, it’s a long stretch of marginal to poor conditions. The swell sticks around, but it’s mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the comments are all poor or questionable. The energy levels vary, but the wind is the killer.
The real standout of the entire forecast is actually the morning of Tuesday the 21st. That 5 ft S swell combined with glassy conditions is the best combination of size and clean surface we get. It’s the one to point your board at.
The final few days of the month and into August 1st look like a total flat spell again, with poor surf and tiny swells. So that’s the run.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 26 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 181 | 84 | 73 | 246 | 258 | 64 | 232 | 309 | 271 | 264 | 255 | 423 | 836 | 916 | 612 | 372 | 253 | 261 | 226 | 161 | 171 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:19PM1.86m | 1:30AM1.95m | 3:00PM1.91m | 2:31AM1.72m | 3:41PM1.94m | 3:42AM1.50m | 4:23PM1.96m | 5:11AM1.36m | 5:06PM1.97m | 6:54AM1.31m | 5:51PM1.97m | 8:28AM1.35m | 6:38PM1.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:46PM1.00m | 8:16AM0.36m | 8:55PM0.95m | 8:54AM0.58m | 10:09PM0.88m | 9:32AM0.79m | 11:25PM0.78m | 10:12AM0.98m | 00:36AM0.68m | 10:58AM1.13m | 1:37AM0.57m | 11:54AM1.24m | 2:28AM0.48m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 27 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 17 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | 207 | 235 | 125 | 59 | 288 | 59 | 48 | 90 | 75 | 196 | 209 | 423 | 836 | 916 | 612 | 192 | 77 | 261 | 226 | 161 | 56 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 17 | SW 14 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | NW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 6 | NW 11 | SSE 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 170 | 74 | 208 | 201 | 258 | 191 | 232 | 309 | 271 | 264 | 255 | 201 | 26 | 84 | 252 | 372 | 253 | 34 | 32 | 36 | 156 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | S 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 13 | SSW 18 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | S 7 | SSE 15 | SW 26 | SW 26 |
| kJ | 181 | 84 | 73 | 246 | 44 | 64 | 186 | 131 | 123 | 49 | 48 | 35 | 34 | 61 | 33 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 42 | 105 | 171 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | WSW 7 | — | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | — | 212 | — | — | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 84 | — | — | 45 | — | 29 | 99 | 93 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 312 | 0 | 0 | 205 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 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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