Imperial Beach surf break

Imperial Beach surfForecast / CAL – San Diego County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Monday 04 May 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Imperial Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Imperial Beach sea temperature is
16.3° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Imperial Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Imperial Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Imperial Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (May 10) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 8th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 10th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sat 9th May)3ft (0.9m) 19s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Imperial Beach over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
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
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
1
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SW
15
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
1.5
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
10
0.8
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
129
169
206
144
217
245
251
171
164
164
99
87
61
152
164
322
370
408
486
528
326
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
15
W
15
W
20
WNW
20
WNW
10
NW
15
NW
20
WNW
10
NNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
5
W
10
WSW
10
WSW
10
SW
15
SW
15
SSW
10
S
15
SW
15
SW
5
SW
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
12:13PM0.94m
10:46PM1.57m
1:09PM0.87m
11:17PM1.49m
2:28PM0.84m
11:54PM1.39m
4:30PM0.87m
00:47AM1.29m
5:31PM0.96m
2:19AM1.19m
5:51PM1.07m
4:02AM1.14m
6:12PM1.19m
Low Tide
4:18PM0.69m
6:25AM-0.01m
4:40PM0.76m
7:16AM0.07m
5:00PM0.83m
8:17AM0.13m
5:27PM0.90m
9:23AM0.16m
8:24PM0.95m
10:24AM0.16m
10:34PM0.87m
11:13AM0.16m
11:49PM0.68m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:30
7:31
7:32
7:34
7:34
7:35
7:36
3
1
Temp °C
18
18
17
17
17
16
17
18
16
19
19
17
19
19
18
19
20
18
19
19
18
15
14
14
13
12
12
14
14
15
18
17
16
18
17
18
17
18
17
18
17
18
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
WNW
4
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SW
15
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.7
W
5
0.6
W
6
0.5
SW
14
0.8
W
6
0.8
WNW
6
0.8
WNW
7
1
W
7
1.5
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
10
1.1
W
9
1.4
WNW
10
1.3
W
10
0.8
SSW
16
Energy kJ
10
169
206
144
217
245
251
171
27
23
99
40
56
62
106
322
370
202
356
326
326
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
16
0.4
WNW
15
0.6
WNW
14
0.6
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
5
0.4
WNW
5
0.4
WNW
12
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.4
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
12
0.5
SW
18
0.6
WNW
9
0.5
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.8
W
9
Energy kJ
129
89
138
120
98
12
10
56
164
164
68
82
55
152
61
121
268
408
486
528
101
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
NW
11
0.3
S
12
0.3
SW
18
0.2
S
12
0.5
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.2
S
11
0.4
NW
12
0.3
WNW
11
0.2
SSW
19
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
WNW
11
0.5
SW
18
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
SW
13
0.3
WNW
14
0.3
S
13
0.4
WNW
12
Energy kJ
70
30
25
49
11
95
56
9
35
24
36
87
61
51
164
152
152
44
40
30
58
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
4
0.5
W
3
0.5
W
4
0.6
WNW
4
0.6
WNW
5
0.7
WNW
6
1
WNW
7
0.4
S
3
Energy kJ
6
5
7
13
21
34
99
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
3
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
3
2
3
2
2
Distance (km)
12
323
134
294
13
12
12
294
12
13
12
0
13
13
34
153
36
32
36
32
0
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
4
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
2
3
3
1
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
3
2
4
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
6
5
5
5
6
5
5
9
4
4
4
9
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Imperial Beach Surf forecast

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

Imperial Beach is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Imperial Beach. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Imperial Beach. Imperial Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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