Surf Forecasts:
Imperial Pier (North and South) surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 674 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5PM. 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+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Imperial Pier (North and South) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in with a look at what’s on the cards for the next stretch. We’re focusing on one spot this time, Imperial Pier (North and South), and it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
The water temperature is sitting at 73°F, which is about 4°F warmer than you'd expect for this time of year. That’s a pretty big jump – it’s notably warm out there.
Straight off the bat, the first week is a bit of a grind. From Saturday the 15th right through to the end of the following week, it’s mostly small and choppy. You’ve got weak to moderate wave energy, with a long-period groundswell hanging around, but the wind is a problem. It’s coming from the WNW to NW, sitting cross-onshore, leaving the surface bumpy. Expect slow, marginal days. There’s no real standout until further out.
Now, the real story begins around Monday the 24th of August. That afternoon, a shift happens. The wind goes glassy, and the S swell picks up, with a very long 20-second period and solid energy. The face is only about 3ft, but with those conditions, it’s shaping up to be a clean, fun afternoon wave. This is the first real flicker of quality.
But the true standout, the one to circle on your calendar, is Tuesday the 25th of August. We’ve got a proper S groundswell at 6 to 7ft pumping in. The wave energy jumps significantly. The period is a solid 15 seconds. Early morning looks okay with light cross-onshore wind, but the afternoon window is the one. The wind goes onshore, but the forecast is clear that the conditions are favorable. This is a sizeable swell though, pushing 7ft, so this one is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, sit this one out.
That big pulse will ease through Wednesday and Thursday, still holding around 6ft, but the winds will be a light cross-onshore, keeping it manageable but not as perfect as that Tuesday peak.
The session to chase is Tuesday, the 25th. The swell direction from the S is a good match for this exposed break. Expect a crowd as it’s a consistent spot. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 22°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 386 | 674 | 657 | 523 | 437 | 367 | 367 | 357 | 257 | 232 | 181 | 275 | 382 | 382 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 163 | 154 | 99 | 98 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | on |
High Tide | 11:52AM1.57m | 11:46PM1.54m | 12:26PM1.56m | 00:33AM1.30m | 1:02PM1.53m | 1:30AM1.06m | 1:43PM1.47m | 3:01AM0.88m | 2:37PM1.41m | 3:56PM1.38m | 8:31AM0.99m | 5:20PM1.41m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:46PM0.34m | 5:59AM0.18m | 6:38PM0.39m | 6:25AM0.39m | 7:38PM0.45m | 6:48AM0.59m | 8:58PM0.48m | 7:03AM0.76m | 10:51PM0.45m | 00:24AM0.34m | 9:59AM1.01m | 1:16AM0.22m | |||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 386 | 674 | 657 | 523 | 437 | 367 | 367 | 357 | 88 | 108 | 114 | 109 | 382 | 90 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 163 | 154 | 99 | 98 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | 194 | 37 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 55 | 48 | 10 | 257 | 232 | 181 | 275 | 109 | 382 | 61 | 39 | 27 | 27 | 15 | 22 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | W 11 | WNW 13 | W 10 | WNW 11 | S 10 | WNW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 20 | SW 20 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 37 | 10 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 114 | 116 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 31 | 32 | 46 | 46 | 41 | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 21 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 28 | 68 | — | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | 46 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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