Surf Forecasts:
Cardiff Reef surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SSW swell with 798 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with SSW 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 (Sep 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 15s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cardiff Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Cardiff Reef. This reef break is super consistent, open to WNW swell, but right now, it’s in a real boring spell.
The water’s warm – 25° – which is a huge 5° warmer than normal for this time of year. Feels like a hot tub.
For the next 16 days, it’s mostly a bust. There’s a long gap of nothing at the start. The combined energy of all swells is weak, starting at 313 on Monday, August 31, and stays low for a while.
From Monday, August 31 through Wednesday, September 2, it’s really small and poor. Waves are 2ft to 3ft, but with onshore winds, it’s a waste of time. Energy is weak (313 to 444), and the swell period is short, around 13-14 seconds.
Thursday, September 3, there’s a tiny bump. Swell from the SSW at 3ft with a period of 18 seconds gives a combined energy of 672 – that’s moderate. But the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy and marginal. It’s a “maybe if you’re bored” day.
Friday, September 4, is the best of the worst. Swell is 3ft to 4ft from the SSW, period 16-17 seconds, and energy hits 715 to 764 – moderate. But the wind is cross-shore to cross-onshore, so it’s not clean. It’s marginal, but it’s the only window where you might get a couple of rides.
After that, it fades out. Saturday, September 5, has 3ft waves with light onshore winds, but energy drops to 525. Still marginal. From Sunday, September 6, it’s tiny and weak. Energy drops below 300, and the conditions are rainy, stormy, or just too small.
From September 7 to 15, it’s a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions. Waves are 1.0ft to 3ft, periods are either too short (7 seconds) or long (19 seconds), and the wind is onshore or cross-shore, ruining it. Energy is mostly weak, often under 200. There’s a brief moment on September 9 and 10 with 2ft to 3ft swell and light onshore winds, but it’s still not good.
The only standout, if you can call it that, is Friday, September 4. The swell is the biggest, with a decent period, and the combined energy is the highest. But the wind is cross-shore, so it’s not clean. If you’re really keen, you might find a few, but it’s not a day to write home about.
This is a long, quiet stretch for Cardiff Reef. It’s a consistent spot, so it won’t stay this bad forever, but for the next two weeks, you’re better off waiting.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | W 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 257 | 161 | 156 | 116 | 114 | 92 | 211 | 242 | 302 | 196 | 547 | 651 | 587 | 717 | 620 | 512 | 506 | 367 | 251 | 31 | 34 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:31AM2.01m | 11:56PM1.60m | 12:05PM2.03m | 00:56AM1.39m | 12:47PM2.02m | 2:38AM1.23m | 1:47PM1.99m | 6:09AM1.25m | 3:12PM1.98m | 7:12AM1.38m | 4:45PM2.04m | 7:40AM1.51m | 6:00PM2.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:01PM0.64m | 5:33AM0.79m | 7:02PM0.65m | 5:57AM0.95m | 8:22PM0.65m | 6:23AM1.10m | 10:06PM0.60m | 6:57AM1.24m | 11:36PM0.46m | 10:00AM1.32m | 00:39AM0.30m | 11:49AM1.23m | 1:26AM0.18m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  |  |  |  | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 7 |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 | WNW 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 15 | S 15 |
| kJ | 255 | 228 | 151 | 114 | 106 | 29 | 33 | 242 | 76 | 73 | 547 | 651 | 587 | 717 | 620 | 440 | 931 | 1315 | 1772 | 2211 | 3093 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | S 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | W 10 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 56 | 161 | 156 | 23 | 114 | 92 | 211 | 129 | 196 | 176 | 70 | 47 | 74 | 47 | 405 | 512 | 506 | 367 | 251 | 31 | 34 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SSE 15 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 10 | — | WNW 12 | — |
| kJ | 257 | 56 | 19 | 116 | 80 | 41 | 107 | 41 | 302 | 196 | 55 | 76 | 54 | 231 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 50 | — | 14 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | WNW 5 | — | W 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — |
| kJ | — | 36 | — | — | 32 | 42 | — | 32 | 82 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 44 | 44 | 7 | 43 | 44 | 11 | 43 | 44 | 0 | 43 | 279 | 0 | 92 | 44 | 0 | 43 | 43 | 11 | 27 | 0 | 11 |
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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