Surf Forecasts:
Cardiff Reef surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SSW swell with 820 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cardiff Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Cardiff Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 19s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cardiff Reef in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 14s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cardiff Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the surf outlook for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the first week is a write-off. We’re looking at a real flat, choppy mess with no real surf on offer. The wind is mostly cross-onshore, and the swell is just tiny and weak. It’s gonna be a pretty frustrating wait.
Now, the real bright spot, the one that’s got my blood pumping, is that Saturday the 25th of July. That morning, Cardiff Reef is looking like the pick of the forecast. We’re expecting a solid 6 feet of SSW groundswell piling in with a long period of 13 seconds. The energy is ramping up big time (1781), and the wind is forecast to be light and straight offshore from the WSW. That’s going to keep the reef clean as a whistle. The water is roasting, about 73°, which is a whopping 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – very unusual. This is for the experienced crew, as that size is a bit beyond the beginners. The reef setup here likes a WNW swell, but a good SSW will still wrap in nicely, and with those offshore conditions, it'll be a standout session.
The Sunday and Monday after that (26th and 27th) still hold some promise with 3 feet to 4 feet of SSW swell and light offshore winds, keeping the energy in the moderate-to-strong range (1171 to 1403). It’s a step down from that Saturday peak, but it’ll still be a fun, clean wave. Just don’t expect the same power.
The tail end of the forecast, from the 30th of July, looks like it’s fading out again. The swell drops, the wind messes up a bit, and we’re back to marginal or poor conditions. There’s a small window there on the 28th and 29th with 4 feet to 5 feet and clean wind, but it’s not quite the same quality as that Saturday.
So, if you’re keen, get your schedule sorted for that Saturday the 25th of July. It’s the only real standout in a long, flat run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 121 | 175 | 181 | 103 | 137 | 366 | 379 | 127 | 410 | 470 | 692 | 468 | 558 | 412 | 506 | 474 | 468 | 443 | 325 | 316 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:16PM2.26m | 12:47PM1.80m | 00:05AM2.01m | 1:30PM1.84m | 00:58AM1.74m | 2:14PM1.86m | 2:02AM1.48m | 3:01PM1.87m | 3:36AM1.29m | 3:52PM1.88m | 5:49AM1.24m | 4:47PM1.90m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:12PM0.93m | 6:14AM0.16m | 6:11PM0.94m | 6:51AM0.36m | 7:17PM0.95m | 7:27AM0.58m | 8:34PM0.94m | 8:03AM0.79m | 10:05PM0.88m | 8:41AM0.98m | 11:34PM0.77m | 9:31AM1.13m | 00:42AM0.64m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 15 |
| kJ | 84 | 66 | 76 | 58 | 36 | 366 | 379 | 112 | 410 | 594 | 692 | 313 | 307 | 236 | 190 | 474 | 468 | 443 | 743 | 1428 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 13 | SW 17 | W 5 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 16 | SSW 14 | W 6 |
| kJ | 121 | 106 | 181 | 103 | 137 | 68 | 96 | 127 | 212 | 470 | 9 | 468 | 558 | 412 | 506 | 103 | 150 | 264 | 325 | 57 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 11 | W 7 | W 7 | S 14 | S 11 | WNW 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 5 | WNW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 | SSW 8 | SSE 14 | SW 7 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 46 | 175 | 74 | 83 | 39 | 23 | 21 | 60 | 143 | 13 | 43 | 10 | 40 | 140 | 40 | 74 | 46 | 195 | 23 | 316 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 3 | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 4 | — | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | — | 3 | 5 | 9 | 25 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 115 | 17 | 91 | 131 | 7 | 21 | 193 | 17 | 115 | 44 | 10 | 44 | 43 | 0 | 43 | 44 | 27 | 44 | 44 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cardiff Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cardiff Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cardiff Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cardiff Reef 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 (Cardiff Reef) 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 Cardiff Reef 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.
Cardiff Reef is 3 km (2 miles) from the city of Encinitas. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Encinitas. Encinitas has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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