Surf Forecasts:
Imperial Pier (North and South) surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SSW swell with 854 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with S 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 1.6m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Imperial Pier (North and South) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the stretch ahead for Imperial Pier.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the whole 16-day window has somethin’ in the water. The pattern is a lot of marginal, not-quite-there surf, with a few bright spots turning up later. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, comin’ in at 70°.
Friday 17th July kicks off with a tiny 2ft swell from the SW, but it’s a long period groundswell at 19 seconds. The energy is moderate (426), but the cross-shore wind is puttin’ a bit of chop on the face. It’s a beginner wave size, but it’s not clean. That theme pretty much holds through the weekend. Saturday 18th has a little more size, 3ft, but the wind is on it. Sunday 19th is the best of the first few days, with the swell bumpin’ up to 4ft from the S, and a bit of a drop in period to 12 seconds. The wind is offshore and light, so the 4ft sets will have some shape, even if the energy is gettin’ strong (1060). It’s still described as marginal, but it’s the pick of a weak bunch.
The first part of the next week looks like a write-off, honestly. Monday 20th through Wednesday 22nd, the winds are cross-onshore and choppy, with swell around 3ft. It’s poor surf conditions. We get a small reprieve Thursday 23rd with 4ft S swell and clean offshore winds, but the energy is still moderate.
Now, the standout moment. Friday 31st July morning is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell jumps to 7ft from the S, with a period of 14 seconds. The wind is light and offshore – glassy clean. The combined energy is strong (1865). That’s a powerful, clean, lined-up swell. The caveat here is that 7ft is getting up there; it’s not for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the best wave of the forecast. The flow of the swell direction (S) and the offshore wind will make for some proper, groomed walls at this exposed pier. Crowds are always possible at Imperial Pier, but when it’s this good, you know it’ll be busy.
After that peak, Saturday 1st August drops back to 5ft and the wind stays offshore, but the period shortens to 11 seconds and the energy weakens to moderate (575). It’s still surfable, but a step down from the day before.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 181 | 132 | 130 | 432 | 307 | 161 | 513 | 547 | 383 | 387 | 367 | 502 | 419 | 474 | 461 | 431 | 362 | 333 | 590 | 563 | 581 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 12:44PM1.39m | 00:09AM1.66m | 1:27PM1.42m | 00:59AM1.41m | 2:13PM1.44m | 2:00AM1.15m | 3:03PM1.45m | 3:24AM0.94m | 3:57PM1.46m | 5:26AM0.85m | 4:55PM1.49m | 7:29AM0.89m | 5:51PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:07PM0.52m | 6:52AM-0.04m | 7:09PM0.55m | 7:27AM0.17m | 8:21PM0.57m | 8:02AM0.38m | 9:51PM0.54m | 8:39AM0.58m | 11:32PM0.44m | 9:26AM0.74m | 00:49AM0.29m | 10:38AM0.85m | 1:40AM0.16m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
| kJ | 112 | 87 | 64 | 432 | 307 | 138 | 513 | 547 | 383 | 371 | 238 | 231 | 419 | 474 | 461 | 431 | 362 | 333 | 590 | 563 | 581 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | S 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | 132 | 132 | 130 | 101 | 121 | 161 | 423 | 423 | 224 | 387 | 367 | 502 | 216 | 86 | 55 | 35 | 209 | 257 | 139 | 110 | 110 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | WNW 18 | SW 18 | W 8 | W 7 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 14 | SW 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 181 | 104 | 108 | 32 | 26 | 127 | 124 | 119 | 75 | 71 | 219 | 45 | 67 | 37 | 35 | 103 | 25 | 130 | 51 | 171 | 111 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | NW 6 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 9 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | W 6 | — | WNW 7 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | 10 | 5 | — | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 24 | 104 | — | 163 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 35 | 33 | 35 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 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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