Imperial Beach surf break

Imperial Beach surfForecast / CAL – San Diego County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Friday 01 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
16.5° 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 Sunday (May 03) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. 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 0.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 05) at 8AM. 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 (Sun 3rd May)2ft (0.6m) 12s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 3rd May)2ft (0.6m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 5th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 17s

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. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Fri
8
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
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>
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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)
0.4
NW
13
0.4
WNW
13
0.4
SW
16
0.6
WNW
12
0.4
SW
16
0.6
W
11
0.4
SSW
15
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
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
1.1
W
6
1.1
WNW
7
1.3
WNW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
45
63
66
111
79
94
84
129
169
206
144
171
245
251
174
164
164
99
97
128
172
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
15
WNW
15
WNW
5
NW
5
WSW
15
WSW
15
W
10
WNW
15
WSW
20
W
20
WNW
20
W
10
WNW
10
NW
15
WNW
10
NNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
5
W
10
SW
10
WSW
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:30PM1.70m
10:45AM1.07m
9:54PM1.68m
11:26AM1.01m
10:19PM1.63m
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
Low Tide
4:29AM-0.16m
3:33PM0.54m
5:04AM-0.13m
3:56PM0.62m
5:42AM-0.09m
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:31
7:32
7:34
7:34
2
1
Temp °C
16
18
19
17
17
18
16
17
17
17
16
17
16
17
18
17
20
20
18
20
20
15
16
17
16
17
15
14
14
13
14
13
12
12
15
14
16
19
18
18
19
19
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
W
6
0.5
W
5
0.4
WNW
5
0.6
WNW
12
0.5
WNW
12
0.4
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
15
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.8
WNW
6
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.6
WNW
5
0.7
WNW
6
0.5
SW
14
1.1
W
6
1.1
WNW
7
1
WNW
7
Energy kJ
31
14
9
111
79
84
84
129
169
206
144
171
34
251
174
19
35
99
97
128
117
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
13
0.4
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.3
S
13
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
WNW
15
0.5
WNW
14
0.5
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
13
0.7
SW
16
0.6
WNW
6
0.4
WNW
5
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.3
WNW
11
0.5
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.5
WNW
10
Energy kJ
42
63
58
66
66
31
49
70
89
118
102
98
245
24
10
164
164
24
93
56
57
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
13
0.3
SW
13
0.4
SW
16
0.3
SW
12
0.3
S
10
0.3
SW
18
0.3
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
16
0.4
NW
11
0.3
S
12
0.3
SW
18
0.3
S
12
0.5
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
12
0.4
NW
12
0.3
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
18
Energy kJ
45
26
66
24
18
50
61
86
30
25
49
24
95
56
56
35
24
37
87
61
109
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WNW
3
0.6
W
11
0.5
WNW
11
0.5
W
4
0.4
WNW
4
0.6
W
4
1.2
W
6
1
WNW
6
0.4
WNW
4
0.8
WNW
6
1.3
WNW
7
Energy kJ
2
94
68
9
6
10
89
67
5
46
172
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
Distance (km)
12
659
74
0
0
38
38
12
13
110
244
656
12
12
13
12
12
12
13
153
239
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
1
3
2
1
2
4
2
3
1
3
2
3
1
3
2
2
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
5
5
5
4
5
6
6
5
4
7
6
7
6
  • 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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