Imperial Beach surf break

Imperial Beach surfForecast / CAL – San Diego County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm 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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s 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+)11PM (Fri 8th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 18s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 10th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 18s
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 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
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
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
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>
<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
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
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
1.4
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
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
169
171
144
217
245
251
171
164
164
99
87
61
152
164
262
268
408
486
528
326
532
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
20
W
25
WNW
20
W
5
NW
15
NW
20
WNW
5
NNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
5
NW
10
W
10
W
5
W
10
WSW
15
SW
5
SSW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
WNW
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
High Tide
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
5:21AM1.15m
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
11:54AM0.17m
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
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>
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
<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
7:37
4
2
Temp °C
18
17
16
17
16
17
18
16
19
19
17
20
21
19
20
21
19
21
21
19
21
15
14
13
13
12
15
14
14
17
17
17
20
20
19
19
19
19
21
20
20
20
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
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
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.7
WNW
6
0.8
WNW
6
0.8
WNW
7
0.9
WNW
7
1.4
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
9
1
W
9
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
Energy kJ
169
171
144
217
245
251
171
27
164
99
31
53
60
86
262
248
158
486
528
326
532
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
15
0.6
WNW
14
0.5
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
13
0.7
WNW
5
0.6
WNW
5
0.4
WNW
12
0.6
SW
14
0.3
WNW
11
0.4
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
12
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
9
0.5
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
W
7
0.8
W
10
0.7
W
9
0.5
W
8
Energy kJ
89
138
102
98
26
23
56
164
24
68
82
55
152
49
121
268
408
68
115
78
33
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
11
0.3
S
12
0.3
SW
18
0.3
S
12
0.5
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
12
0.2
S
11
0.4
NW
12
0.2
WNW
14
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
13
0.4
WNW
12
Energy kJ
30
25
49
24
95
56
9
35
20
36
87
61
51
164
152
152
44
40
30
54
54
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
4
0.7
W
4
0.8
W
4
0.8
WNW
5
0.6
WNW
5
0.6
W
5
0.7
WNW
6
Energy kJ
9
14
26
32
23
21
33
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
2
3
Distance (km)
294
110
239
656
12
12
13
12
323
12
12
13
13
0
13
220
22
178
13
0
12
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
3
2
3
4
4
4
3
1
4
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
5
5
6
5
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
8
5
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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