Surf Forecasts:
Emma Wood State Beach surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 15s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Emma Wood State Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Emma Wood State Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Emma Wood State Beach in the next 16 days are 0.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emma Wood State Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – we’re looking at a pretty grim stretch ahead for Emma Wood State Beach. The whole 16-day window is a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. The water’s running about 70°F, which is a massive 7°F warmer than normal for this time of year – feels more like a bath than the Pacific.
The issue is we’ve got tiny, weak swell on the menu from the get-go on Monday the 17th of August. Swell heights barely scrape 2 ft, coming from the SSW, and the combined energy is pitiful – never getting above 261 (moderate energy at best, mostly weak). The periods are long-ish, around 14 to 17 seconds, which would usually mean some proper groundswell, but there’s just no size to back it up. The wind is a constant problem too, mostly onshore or cross-onshore from the WSW, keeping everything chopped and messy.
For the first week, it’s all poor surf conditions with scores of zero. Monday the 17th has a light onshore breeze with a 2 ft SSW swell (182 energy), but it’s just not doing anything. Tuesday and Wednesday are more of the same – tiny 2 ft waves with a cross-onshore wind. Thursday through to Sunday the 23rd of August is even smaller, dropping to 1 ft, with energy bottoming out at 61. That’s barely a ripple.
We hit a slight bump on Saturday the 29th of August, where the swell tries to pick up to 2 ft from the SSW with a 17-second period and the combined energy jumps to 261. The wind is a light cross-onshore, which is the best we’ll see, but even then, the wave comment is still “poor surf conditions.” It’s just not enough push. Sunday the 30th of August shows the highest energy at 273 with a 2 ft swell, but again, the cross-onshore wind and small size mean it’s not worth suiting up.
Honestly, for the whole 16 days, there isn’t a single standout. The break is a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed, but with these weak, short-period swells and constant onshore wind, it’s more of a windsurfing or kite-surfing window than anything for a paddle surfer. Crowds are often an issue here, but honestly, you won’t have to worry about that – nobody will be out.
Stick to the lake or go for a run. This one’s a dud. - Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
140 | 120 | 116 | 146 | 68 | 81 | 130 | 138 | 85 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 35 | 58 | 34 | 32 | 43 | 71 | 50 | 57 | 68 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:16PM1.54m | 1:50AM1.03m | 1:56PM1.49m | 3:37AM0.86m | 2:48PM1.44m | 4:04PM1.41m | 8:55AM1.01m | 5:27PM1.44m | 8:52AM1.08m | 6:31PM1.52m | 9:04AM1.13m | 7:18PM1.62m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 8:09PM0.42m | 7:11AM0.61m | 9:34PM0.44m | 7:26AM0.79m | 11:19PM0.40m | 00:43AM0.29m | 10:39AM1.03m | 1:36AM0.18m | 12:31PM0.99m | 2:15AM0.08m | 1:22PM0.91m | 2:45AM0.01m | |||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 6 | W 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | SSW 15 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
140 | 120 | 31 | 35 | 54 | 64 | 61 | 29 | 22 | 29 | 81 | 79 | 35 | 58 | 34 | 29 | 32 | 71 | 31 | 57 | 68 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | W 5 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | W 4 |
14 | 7 | 116 | 146 | 68 | 81 | 130 | 138 | 85 | 81 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 32 | 43 | 5 | 33 | 31 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 10 | W 9 | S 9 | SW 13 | S 9 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
8 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 44 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 30 | 29 | 19 | 50 | 50 | 50 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | — | W 6 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | WSW 3 | — | W 9 | — |
20 | 12 | 66 | — | 34 | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 1 | — | 15 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 19 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 38 | 51 | 0 | 99 | 19 | 14 | 99 | 19 | 0 | 98 | 19 | 19 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Ventura County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Emma Wood State Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Emma Wood State Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Emma Wood State Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Emma Wood State 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 (Emma Wood State 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 Emma Wood State 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.
Emma Wood State Beach is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Ventura. If you plan a vacation in Ventura County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ventura. Ventura has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











