Imperial Beach surf break

Imperial Beach surfForecast / CAL – San Diego County / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 am Wednesday 21 Jan 2026 PST
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
15.8° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Imperial Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Imperial Beach over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jan 21) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Imperial Beach in the next 12 days are 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jan 21) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Wed 21st Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Best Surf 7PM (Wed 21st Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 21st Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Imperial Beach over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
2
2
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
WNW
0.9
WNW
1.1
WNW
1
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.4
WNW
0.5
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.5
W
0.3
WNW
0.3
WNW
Period(s) (?)161414131312161417141515141413121211121514
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)3293014853611311428212023214518122821519217815711398694241
Wind
(km/h)
5
SSW
5
WSW
10
WSW
10
N
15
NNW
5
N
5
W
10
WNW
10
NNW
10
NW
20
NW
10
NW
5
NE
10
WNW
10
NE
0
SE
10
WNW
10
NW
5
NNW
15
WNW
10
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassononcrosscross-
on
crossononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glassoncross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:22PM
1.26
10:36AM
1.50
11:56PM
1.31
11:19AM
1.29
12:35AM
1.36
12:18PM
1.05
1:22AM
1.42
1:54PM
0.83
2:22AM
1.48
4:19PM
0.74
3:33AM
1.56
6:20PM
0.83
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:55PM
-0.16
4:41AM
0.52
5:23PM
-0.03
5:35AM
0.52
5:51PM
0.13
6:46AM
0.50
6:21PM
0.31
8:21AM
0.44
6:57PM
0.49
10:10AM
0.27
7:57PM
0.66
11:34AM
0.04
9:42PM
0.76
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Sunrise6:48--6:48--6:48--6:47--6:47--6:46--6:46--
Sunset-5:09--5:10--5:12--5:13--5:14--5:15--5:15-
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C171716181715171716171615181716181716181615
Feels °C (?)161716161514161616141314161514141313151314
  • 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 12 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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