Surf Forecasts:
Cardiff Reef surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 932 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s 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 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cardiff Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s happening at Cardiff Reef in feet and all. It’s a lean forecast overall, but there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel.
From Tuesday the 25th through Thursday the 27th of August, we’re stuck in a rut. Swell is only about 2ft from the SW, with that long 16-second groundswell, but the wind is mostly cross-onshore, making things choppy or rippled. Water temp is around 73°F, which is about 5°F warmer than normal – that’s pretty noticeable. The surf itself is marginal, with combined wave energy in the 200-330 range – weak, basically.
Friday the 28th of August shows a small bump. Friday afternoon has about 3ft of SSW swell, period jumps to 19 seconds, and energy hits 511 – moderate now. But the best looking session by far is Saturday the 29th of August. Morning shows about 4ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, with light offshore wind from the WSW. That’s clean, lined up, and rideable for an intermediate. It’s not huge, but given the rest of the run, it’s the standout. The water is warm, the reef will help shape those long period waves, and it’s your best chance for a glassy session. Crowds can sometimes show up, but it shouldn’t be too bad.
Sunday the 30th drops back to around 4ft but the cross-onshore breeze comes back, making it choppier. From Monday the 31st onward, it’s mostly poor conditions – small 2ft-3ft swell, cross or offshore winds but small and inconsistent. Through the first week of September, there’s a bit more energy around Thursday September 3rd afternoon (3-3ft at 18 seconds) and Friday September 4th (3-4ft at 17 seconds), but the wind is cross to cross-onshore. That kinda setup might be better for kite surfing than paddling.
Your best bet? Saturday morning, August 29th. Get out there early.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 264 | 208 | 203 | 302 | 196 | 171 | 169 | 167 | 270 | 274 | 465 | 932 | 667 | 733 | 749 | 537 | 437 | 389 | 208 | 225 | 114 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:15AM1.61m | 8:10PM2.17m | 9:34AM1.68m | 8:44PM2.19m | 9:54AM1.75m | 9:18PM2.17m | 10:16AM1.83m | 9:52PM2.09m | 10:38AM1.90m | 10:29PM1.96m | 11:03AM1.97m | 11:09PM1.79m | 11:31AM2.01m | 11:56PM1.60m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:05PM1.04m | 3:11AM0.24m | 2:39PM0.94m | 3:35AM0.25m | 3:14PM0.84m | 3:59AM0.29m | 3:51PM0.76m | 4:22AM0.38m | 4:30PM0.69m | 4:46AM0.50m | 5:12PM0.65m | 5:09AM0.64m | 6:01PM0.64m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 264 | 285 | 784 | 556 | 446 | 305 | 396 | 274 | 154 | 103 | 465 | 932 | 667 | 733 | 749 | 134 | 437 | 389 | 298 | 330 | 347 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | S 8 | W 10 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | SSW 15 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 128 | 208 | 203 | 302 | 196 | 171 | 169 | 167 | 270 | 274 | 71 | 102 | 103 | 79 | 94 | 537 | 106 | 94 | 60 | 54 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 12 | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | W 8 | SW 13 | W 8 | W 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 16 | 101 | 12 | 30 | 20 | 13 | 24 | 33 | 88 | 30 | 46 | 33 | 20 | 50 | 14 | 90 | 76 | 39 | 208 | 225 | 114 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 44 | 44 | 0 | 21 | 44 | 21 | 131 | 172 | 0 | 43 | 43 | 7 | 44 | 44 | 7 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 44 | 43 | 0 |
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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