Imperial Beach surf break

Imperial Beach surfForecast / CAL – San Diego County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Wednesday 06 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
16.8° 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-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

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

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
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<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)
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.9
WNW
7
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
1.1
WNW
8
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
171
164
164
99
87
79
152
164
176
268
408
486
528
326
532
392
339
334
268
257
163
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
10
NW
10
W
10
W
5
SW
10
SW
10
W
10
WNW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
SW
10
W
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
W
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
W
15
W
10
NW
15
NW
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
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
5:21AM1.15m
6:35PM1.34m
6:25AM1.17m
7:01PM1.51m
7:22AM1.20m
Low Tide
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
11:54AM0.17m
00:42AM0.45m
12:30PM0.20m
1:27AM0.20m
1:05PM0.25m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:32
7:34
7:34
7:35
7:36
7:37
7:37
7:37
Temp °C
18
17
18
18
17
18
20
18
19
21
19
21
21
19
22
22
20
22
22
20
22
15
15
17
16
17
17
19
18
18
20
19
21
20
19
21
21
19
21
20
20
20
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
15
0.9
WNW
6
0.7
WNW
6
0.7
WNW
6
0.8
W
6
0.9
WNW
7
0.9
WNW
7
0.9
WNW
7
1.1
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
9
1
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
9
0.8
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
Energy kJ
171
52
35
39
47
79
89
89
176
189
135
137
153
326
532
392
339
334
268
257
163
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
12
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
WNW
12
0.5
WNW
12
0.5
WNW
11
0.5
WNW
9
0.5
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.8
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
11
0.8
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
12
0.7
WNW
11
0.6
WNW
11
0.6
WNW
11
Energy kJ
56
164
164
99
82
79
64
50
121
268
408
486
528
103
161
136
108
140
126
100
95
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
11
0.4
NW
12
0.3
WNW
11
0.4
WNW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
SW
13
0.3
WNW
14
0.4
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
12
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
13
0.3
S
11
0.3
S
11
0.3
S
11
0.4
SW
18
Energy kJ
9
35
24
68
87
61
152
164
152
152
44
39
59
85
25
25
29
22
23
23
82
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WNW
6
Energy kJ
31
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
Distance (km)
13
12
13
13
0
153
13
13
38
13
0
13
13
12
13
13
0
13
13
12
12
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
1
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
4
1
4
3
2
4
3
2
4
4
2
3
3
2
3
3
1
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
4
6
9
5
5
4
5
9
5
5
5
  • 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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