Surf Forecasts:
Imperial Pier (North and South) surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 457 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 8PM. 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 (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Imperial Pier (North and South) over the next 16 days.
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk in feet and Fahrenheit for a sec.
Look, I’m gonna level with you. The first week and a bit out at Imperial Pier (North and South) is pretty grim. From Saturday the 11th through around Wednesday the 15th, the waves are tiny—mostly 2ft to 3ft—and the wind is just ruining any chance of a clean face. You’ve got light wind ripples and cross-chop messing it up. The energy is weak, with the numbers staying low, so there’s just not much punch. You’re better off doing something else.
Now, things start to get interesting after the middle of the month. The standout window, and the only one I’d really get excited about, is Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of July. On Saturday afternoon, we see 4ft of S swell with a clean offshore wind. The energy jumps way up (1333), and we’ve got a 16-second period on that—proper groundswell. That long period S swell is perfect for the pier. The morning of the 19th follows with similar energy and 5ft S swell, with the wind staying offshore. This is about as good as it gets. It’s going to be clean, rideable, and fun. The spot is consistent, so you’ll get waves, and with that quality and offshore wind, expect a few other folks out—crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have company, but it won’t be a zoo.
Later on, Saturday the 25th sees another pulse: 5ft S swell with light cross-onshore in the morning, cleaning up to offshore in the afternoon. The energy is strong again (1129), and the period is a solid 13 seconds. It’s a bit bigger, so if you’re a beginner, that 5ft might be pushing it, but the afternoon session with clean offshore wind will have some grunty, lined-up waves.
Water temp is about average for this time of year.
To sum it up: the 18th and 19th are your best bets—clean, chest-to-head-high S swell, with that proper groundswell. The 25th afternoon is a close second if you’re after a bit more size. The rest of the window is a write-off until then.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Fri 17 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 405 | 417 | 451 | 389 | 389 | 316 | 317 | 312 | 176 | 210 | 120 | 197 | 249 | 150 | 165 | 206 | 192 | 176 | 227 | 181 | 132 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 8:27AM1.03m | 7:16PM1.98m | 9:16AM1.11m | 8:08PM2.08m | 9:59AM1.19m | 8:58PM2.14m | 10:40AM1.25m | 9:47PM2.13m | 11:21AM1.30m | 10:34PM2.04m | 12:02PM1.35m | 11:21PM1.88m | 12:44PM1.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:57AM-0.17m | 12:40PM0.73m | 2:46AM-0.34m | 1:41PM0.69m | 3:31AM-0.45m | 2:36PM0.62m | 4:15AM-0.49m | 3:28PM0.56m | 4:57AM-0.46m | 4:20PM0.52m | 5:37AM-0.37m | 5:12PM0.51m | 6:15AM-0.22m | 6:07PM0.52m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 405 | 417 | 451 | 389 | 389 | 316 | 317 | 312 | 176 | 210 | 120 | 108 | 249 | 84 | 111 | 138 | 192 | 176 | 112 | 77 | 57 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | S 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | S 12 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 65 | 41 | 39 | 34 | 24 | 119 | 51 | 16 | 123 | 133 | 73 | 197 | 96 | 150 | 165 | 206 | 159 | 155 | 227 | 132 | 132 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 20 | S 20 | SSW 18 | S 15 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 21 | SW 19 | S 12 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | W 4 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 19 | WNW 18 |
| kJ | — | 30 | 7 | 61 | 38 | 26 | 16 | 18 | 96 | 45 | 17 | 44 | 10 | 66 | 75 | 73 | 47 | 46 | 103 | 181 | 104 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | NW 9 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | 41 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 35 | 22 | 0 | 61 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 295 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 33 | 33 | 180 | 0 | 154 | 14 |
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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