Surf Forecasts:
Carmel Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 589 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Carmel Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Carmel Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Carmel Beach in the next 16 days are 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Carmel Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's cookin' at Carmel Beach.
Right off the bat, things are looking a bit flat and sleepy. For the first few days, we've got some small, long-period SSW groundswell rolling in, but the wind is constantly coming in from the side, keeping things a bit choppy and messy. The water's sitting at 58°, which is a touch colder than what we're used to for early September. The combined swell energy through this stretch is moderate, bouncing around from 331 to 961, but it's not really translating into anything rideable. There are a few mornings with that 3ft SSW swell and a light breeze, but with the cross-on wind and long 16-17 second periods, the sets will be few and far between at this exposed beach break.
The real standout window is shaping up for late next week, Thursday, September 17th. That afternoon, we've got a 6ft swell from the NW with a period of 11 seconds and a west wind going offshore. The energy jumps up to 902 (moderate) and the wind will be smoothing things out. That's the one to look for. Earlier that morning, you've also got a 5ft NW swell with light cross-on wind, so that session is a runner-up, but the afternoon is the cleanest call.
After that, the waves slowly fade back into the 2ft range with lighter energy and more cross-on wind, so don't push your luck too far into the second week unless you're just stoked on a longboard and a bit of chop.
There's nothing here that's going to be too big for a beginner, with the biggest swells hitting 6ft. Just keep an eye on that Thursday the 17th – it's the best chance for a clean, fun wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 18 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 129 | 204 | 376 | 455 | 503 | 576 | 427 | 539 | 463 | 589 | 428 | 334 | 239 | 311 | 345 | 411 | 398 | 430 | 398 | 380 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:19PM1.66m | 4:32AM0.98m | 3:12PM1.67m | 6:30AM0.99m | 4:20PM1.68m | 7:55AM1.06m | 5:36PM1.70m | 8:43AM1.13m | 6:50PM1.74m | 9:19AM1.21m | 7:54PM1.78m | 9:52AM1.29m | 8:52PM1.78m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:51PM0.21m | 8:22AM0.84m | 11:11PM0.13m | 9:24AM0.94m | 00:28AM0.03m | 11:02AM0.98m | 1:33AM-0.07m | 12:36PM0.93m | 2:27AM-0.15m | 1:49PM0.81m | 3:13AM-0.18m | 2:49PM0.67m | 3:54AM-0.15m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
| kJ | 129 | 84 | 99 | 157 | 327 | 328 | 292 | 281 | 192 | 589 | 166 | 145 | 138 | 80 | 345 | 411 | 398 | 430 | 398 | 380 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | S 12 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 73 | 137 | 376 | 455 | 503 | 576 | 427 | 539 | 463 | 207 | 428 | 334 | 239 | 311 | 80 | 81 | 56 | 52 | 59 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 18 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 129 | 204 | 125 | 51 | 137 | 57 | 151 | 75 | 84 | 48 | 108 | 187 | 125 | 239 | 180 | 17 | 15 | 81 | 24 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 190 | — | — | — | — | — | 119 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 45 | 0 | 224 | 9 | 0 | 45 | 537 | 0 | 148 | 45 | 2 | 45 | 46 | 2 | 162 | 45 | 20 | 168 | 329 | 20 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Monterey | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Carmel Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Carmel Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Carmel Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Carmel Beach 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 (Carmel Beach) 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 Carmel Beach 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.
Carmel Beach is 3 km (2 miles) from Monterey. If you plan a vacation in Monterey, look for hotels and other accommodation in Monterey. Monterey has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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