Surf Forecasts:
Deadman's surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, WNW swell with 382 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Deadman's this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Deadman's in the next 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 14s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Deadman's over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, Rusty here again, speaking in feet and miles per hour for the rest of you.
We’re looking at a long, tough run for surfing around here. Just the one break in the frame: Deadman's, an advanced beach and reef setup that’s fairly exposed but needs the wind to buddy up. Water temp is sitting at 62°F, which is about 5°F warmer than usual for the time of year – that’s a notable bump, so you might be in a spring suit.
First real chance is Tuesday the 18th in the morning. A 6ft swell from the WNW, but it’s short-period windswell at 8 seconds with moderate energy (505). Wind is light cross from the SW, so it’s rideable but marginal. The short period means it’ll be dumpy on the beach sections.
Wednesday the 19th morning is your best bet: 6ft from the NW, 8-second period, and a bigger energy reading (649). Wind stays light cross from the SW, keeping it reasonably clean. This is the standout of the whole forecast – it’s got size to wake up the reef, but that short period will still make it tricky. Only for the experienced.
After that, it’s a desert. From Thursday the 20th right through to Sunday the 30th, almost everything is written off. The wind goes cross-onshore, often fresh from the W, and the swell sits between 2ft and 4ft – weak and messy. The energy numbers drop into the low hundreds or low two-hundreds. Not worth a wet suit.
Right at the end, on Monday the 31st in the morning, there’s a small 3ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period and decent energy (440). The wind is light cross from the SW, so it’ll look pretty on the sets, but you’ll be hunting for waist-high waves.
Best session is the morning of Wednesday the 19th at Deadman's. That 6ft NW swell with light cross wind is the only real highlight. It’s advanced only – short period, shallow reef, and crowds are often there. Kite surfers might get some joy from the persistent cross-on wind in the middle of the month, but for a paddle, it’s mostly a waiting game.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
362 | 287 | 255 | 255 | 255 | 169 | 306 | 165 | 188 | 368 | 199 | 382 | 151 | 197 | 192 | 93 | 170 | 165 | 113 | 117 | 251 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:23PM1.75m | 2:38AM1.40m | 2:58PM1.76m | 3:45AM1.25m | 3:35PM1.75m | 5:17AM1.17m | 4:18PM1.74m | 7:24AM1.19m | 5:08PM1.73m | 8:52AM1.28m | 6:06PM1.74m | 9:41AM1.36m | 7:05PM1.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:33PM0.37m | 8:21AM0.47m | 9:31PM0.36m | 9:05AM0.70m | 10:35PM0.35m | 9:59AM0.90m | 11:43PM0.32m | 11:13AM1.04m | 00:48AM0.28m | 12:32PM1.10m | 1:48AM0.21m | 1:37PM1.09m | 2:38AM0.13m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | W 10 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 8 |
362 | 287 | 255 | 255 | 255 | 169 | 196 | 261 | 188 | 199 | 223 | 186 | 134 | 136 | 138 | 82 | 55 | 68 | 44 | 43 | 251 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | S 9 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | W 16 | SW 14 | SW 15 | W 12 | W 11 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 11 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | W 11 | WNW 10 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
77 | 74 | 68 | 38 | 7 | 24 | 220 | 19 | 149 | 217 | 74 | 89 | 129 | 14 | 58 | 93 | 68 | 20 | 34 | 102 | 63 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | WNW 8 | W 12 | SSW 18 | W 13 | S 8 | SW 17 | W 13 | SW 21 | — | WSW 19 | SW 19 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 |
9 | 8 | 8 | 24 | 3 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 77 | 82 | 18 | — | 37 | 15 | 15 | 51 | 49 | 47 | 47 | 20 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | 94 | 80 | 306 | 165 | — | 368 | 199 | 382 | 151 | 197 | 192 | 91 | 170 | 165 | 113 | 117 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 281 | 3 | 3 | 102 | 3 | 3 | 102 | 101 | 3 | 101 | 3 | 3 | 101 | 3 | 3 | 101 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Marin County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Deadman's Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Deadman's provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Deadman's can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Deadman's 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 (Deadman's) 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 Deadman's 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.
Deadman's is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of San Francisco. If you plan a vacation in Marin County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Francisco. San Francisco has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











