Surf Forecasts:
Carmel Beach surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 21s period, SSW swell with 799 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period with SW 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 0.9m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 13s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Carmel Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Carmel Beach has got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a bit of a slow start. For the first week and a half, we’re looking at small, messy waves. The swell is pretty weak, running between 2ft and 4ft, mostly from the SSW and SW. The wind is a cross-onshore breeze all day, every day, keeping things choppy and bumpy. The combined energy is moderate at best, but the quality just isn't there for a proper paddle. It's a frustrating stretch, honestly.
We do see a little bump on the 27th and 28th of July, with the swell pushing up to 4ft from the SW, but the cross-onshore wind just kills the vibe. It’s still a choppy scene, so it’s not really a standout.
Now, let’s talk about the real shift. Around the 29th of July, the swell direction swings around to the NW and the size jumps up. By the 30th of July, we’re looking at a solid 7ft of NW swell, but the period is a short 9 seconds. That’s a bit of a windswell, and with the cross-onshore wind, it’s still going to be a bit of a mess. At 7ft, this is getting into the territory for experienced surfers only.
The one moment that actually gets my heart pumping a little is on the 31st of July, Friday afternoon. The swell is still a solid 5ft from the NW (9-second period), but the wind goes glassy. That’s right, glassy. The report says "expect very good surf conditions," and with the combined energy dropping, it’s not a monster, but it'll be clean. This is the best on offer for the whole run. The water is about average for the time of year, so no shock there.
After that, the first of August brings a new swell from the S at 5ft with a 14-second period, which is a proper groundswell. But the wind is back onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s not going to be the clean session we got on the 31st. By the 2nd and 3rd of August, it's fizzling out again.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half are a write-off. The standout is that Friday afternoon, the 31st of July. If you can get out there for that glassy window on the 5ft NW swell, you'll be stoked. Beyond that, there’s not much to write home about. The longer-range stuff on the 1st of August is a maybe, but the wind looks iffy.
Stay frothy,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 22 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 353 | 273 | 309 | 202 | 255 | 255 | 201 | 252 | 249 | 259 | 339 | 226 | 233 | 226 | 161 | 171 | 563 | 444 | 471 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:20AM1.29m | 3:44PM1.47m | 3:32AM1.08m | 4:27PM1.51m | 5:05AM0.94m | 5:12PM1.54m | 7:00AM0.90m | 5:58PM1.56m | 8:44AM0.95m | 6:45PM1.59m | 9:52AM1.01m | 7:31PM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:47PM0.60m | 8:51AM0.17m | 10:04PM0.54m | 9:29AM0.39m | 11:24PM0.45m | 10:09AM0.59m | 00:40AM0.33m | 10:55AM0.77m | 1:43AM0.20m | 11:53AM0.89m | 2:35AM0.09m | 12:57PM0.95m | 3:19AM0.01m | ||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 8:23 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | S 12 | NW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 5 | NW 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | NW 7 |
| kJ | 67 | 68 | 86 | 100 | 102 | 82 | 172 | 69 | 249 | 259 | 339 | 39 | 32 | 226 | 161 | 156 | 563 | 444 | 121 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 16 | NW 8 | SSW 17 | S 10 | SSW 11 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 22 |
| kJ | 353 | 273 | 270 | 202 | 180 | 255 | 80 | 252 | 69 | 128 | 67 | 226 | 233 | 31 | 55 | 49 | 114 | 98 | 471 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 14 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 16 | S 11 | NW 8 | NW 5 | S 9 | S 8 | NW 12 | SSW 7 | SSE 13 | SW 26 | SSE 13 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 30 | 235 | 309 | 186 | 255 | 86 | 201 | 81 | 42 | 23 | 40 | 35 | 34 | 9 | 60 | 171 | 55 | 60 | 171 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 4 | NW 5 | — | — | — | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — |
| kJ | — | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | 95 | 15 | 24 | — | — | — | 47 | 67 | 66 | 58 | 92 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 45 | 45 | 2 | 20 | 148 | 7 | 187 | 329 | 20 | 45 | 45 | 20 | 45 | 45 | 20 | 45 | 45 | 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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