Surf Forecasts:
Imperial Pier (North and South) surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 397 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Imperial Pier (North and South) this week:
The surf forecast for Imperial Pier (North and South) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Imperial Pier (North and South) in the next 16 days are 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Imperial Pier (North and South) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming up for Imperial Pier.
To be straight with you, the next week and a half is pretty flat and messy for paddle surfing. The first six days are a write-off with poor surf quality, so I’d leave the board at home. The best window looks like it’ll open up around Sunday, 20th September and run through Tuesday, 22nd September, when the energy finally starts to build.
The standout moment is Monday, 21st September. The morning will have a 3ft south-west swell, with a moderate 17-second period that gives it some push and shape. The combined energy reaches 775 (moderate wave energy), which is the highest we see in the whole run. Winds are cross-shore from the south-southwest at 9 mph, which will keep it a little bumpy but rideable. The afternoon gets a touch bigger at 4ft but the cross-onshore wind will chop it up more. For a beginner spot, the swell size is manageable, but the quality is still only marginal. If you’re a beginner, stick to the inside.
Sunday, 20th September is the next best shout, with a 3ft south-west swell and even better conditions: morning winds are light and onshore, but light enough to be glassy early. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit surprises.
Tuesday, 22nd September sees a similar 4ft south-west swell, again with onshore winds and a bit of chop in the afternoon. The energy is solid (644), but the onshore breeze will push the wave faces over.
Crowds are possible at Imperial Pier, and it is a consistent break, so you won’t be completely alone. Be aware that the swell direction (WSW) isn’t the absolute sweet spot for the pier’s optimum (WSW), so it’s not lining up perfectly. The long period on Monday (17 seconds) means the sets will be more energetic with longer lulls, making paddling out easier, but at a beach setup it might break a little too straight.
From Wednesday 23rd onwards, the swell drops and the surf fades out again. A few marginal mornings but nothing worth getting excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 355 | 248 | 208 | 155 | 120 | 136 | 222 | 256 | 222 | 190 | 206 | 157 | 159 | 243 | 330 | 397 | 215 | 272 | 239 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:05PM1.73m | 10:30AM1.72m | 10:46PM1.56m | 10:59AM1.72m | 11:28PM1.37m | 11:26AM1.67m | 00:14AM1.18m | 11:53AM1.60m | 1:13AM1.00m | 12:22PM1.50m | 3:00AM0.88m | 1:01PM1.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:16AM0.08m | 4:41PM0.15m | 4:41AM0.25m | 5:23PM0.17m | 5:04AM0.42m | 6:07PM0.23m | 5:24AM0.60m | 6:59PM0.31m | 5:36AM0.76m | 8:08PM0.40m | 5:20AM0.88m | 9:52PM0.43m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 355 | 51 | 40 | 44 | 102 | 136 | 222 | 256 | 222 | 101 | 94 | 106 | 77 | 243 | 330 | 397 | 215 | 272 | 239 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | S 10 | S 12 | S 9 | S 11 |
| kJ | 35 | 248 | 208 | 155 | 120 | 85 | 85 | 150 | 192 | 190 | 206 | 157 | 159 | 157 | 31 | 47 | 70 | 43 | 81 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | W 8 | S 10 | WNW 7 | S 9 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
| kJ | 28 | 30 | 26 | 23 | 12 | 66 | 177 | 82 | 59 | 38 | 37 | 149 | 124 | 33 | 51 | 18 | 42 | 160 | 206 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 81 | 15 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 154 | 14 | 14 | 35 | 14 | 33 | 154 | 37 | 29 | 154 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Imperial Pier (North and South) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Imperial Pier (North and South) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Imperial Pier (North and South) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Imperial Pier (North and South) 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 Pier (North and South)) 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 Pier (North and South) 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 Pier (North and South) 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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