Cortez Bank Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.40° N 119.12° W

Cortez Bank Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cortez Bank sea temperature is
21.4°C
2.5° 

Cortez Bank surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cortez Bank surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, S swell with 5,521 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cortez Bank this week:

The surf forecast for Cortez Bank over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cortez Bank in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.5m 12s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sun 6th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 7th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 6th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cortez Bank over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Sun night, min 18°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
4
5
3
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
0.8
S
10
0.5
SW
18
0.9
SSW
12
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SW
18
0.5
SSW
20
1
SSW
18
1
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
3
S
15
3.5
S
15
3
S
13
1.1
NW
8
3
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
116
127
150
213
177
323
216
659
644
735
818
604
512
506
353
339
4484
5515
3314
176
1082
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
30
NW
30
NW
30
NW
35
NW
30
NW
30
NW
30
NW
30
NW
20
NW
25
NW
25
NW
15
NNW
15
NNW
20
N
15
NE
25
NNE
20
NNE
25
NNE
25
N
10
SSW
Wind State
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
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
12:09PM1.89m
1:03AM1.26m
12:52PM1.89m
2:53AM1.11m
1:52PM1.87m
3:17PM1.87m
7:29AM1.27m
4:48PM1.92m
7:50AM1.38m
6:03PM2.02m
8:15AM1.49m
7:02PM2.10m
Low Tide
7:10PM0.61m
5:56AM0.89m
8:34PM0.61m
6:16AM1.03m
10:19PM0.54m
11:46PM0.40m
9:53AM1.23m
00:47AM0.26m
11:47AM1.16m
1:33AM0.15m
12:55PM1.01m
2:13AM0.09m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:21
7:20
7:17
7:16
7:15
7:14
7:13
 mm
6
Temp °C
17
17
17
17
18
18
18
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
21
21
21
23
23
23
24
Feels °C
14
13
12
12
13
13
14
14
14
17
17
16
17
19
21
21
21
23
23
23
24
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the Cortez Bank Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cortez Bank provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cortez Bank can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cortez Bank 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 (Cortez Bank) 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 Cortez Bank 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.

Cortez Bank is 130 km (81 miles) from Catalina Island. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Catalina Island. Catalina Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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