
Surf Forecasts:
La Jolla Cove surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SW swell with 625 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for La Jolla Cove this week:
The surf forecast for La Jolla Cove over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at La Jolla Cove in the next 16 days are 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 15s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Jolla Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, this is Rusty. We’ve got a pretty quiet stretch ahead for La Jolla Cove. This is a spot that needs a specific window, and for the next couple of weeks, that window is mostly closed. We’ve got a long gap of nothing special kicking things off.
We start with Monday the 14th. There’s a small 4ft W swell rolling in, but it’s cross-shore and the conditions are just "marginal." The water is sitting at 73°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – a couple degrees above average, so it feels nice if you’re just floating, but not worth paddling out for.
The next several days are a write-off. From Tuesday the 15th through to Saturday the 26th, it’s a frustrating run of tiny, weak swell with cross or cross-onshore wind. The wave energy stays in the low to moderate range, mostly between 17 and 430 (moderate energy), but the wind is just never in our favor. The swell direction is mostly SW or W, which isn't ideal for the Cove’s optimum NW direction. The waves are small – 1ft to 4ft – and the commentary reads "poor surf conditions" or "marginal." There’s no standout.
Now, if you’re desperate and the tide happens to line up, Sunday the 20th into Monday the 21st sees a bit more push. The swell height bumps to 3ft-4ft from the SW, with a very long period of 17-18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and combined energy jumps to 684-700 (moderate energy). The wind is light cross-shore or light cross-onshore, so it'll be blown a bit. Still, those long-period SW swells can wrap in at a reef-and-point break like La Jolla Cove, though they tend to be straight at beach breaks. It’s the best on offer, but honestly, the overall quality is just "marginal." Not a day to clear the calendar.
By Tuesday the 22nd through to the 29th, we’re back to the same story: tiny 1ft-3ft swell, cross-onshore breeze, and "poor surf conditions." The energy drops right off. By the final few days of the month it’s a ghost town.
The final call: The only faint heartbeat in this 16-day forecast is the long-period SW groundswell on the 20th and 21st. It’s not a standout, it’s more of a "maybe if you’re bored" kind of session. For a spot that’s usually consistent, this is a quiet spell. Crowds are *sometimes* a factor here, but even the regulars will be sitting this one out. Keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | WNW 5 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
226 | 188 | 161 | 157 | 157 | 43 | 17 | 10 | 160 | 160 | 206 | 369 | 303 | 296 | 379 | 375 | 375 | 522 | 522 | 493 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 00:17AM1.15m | 11:51AM1.60m | 1:23AM0.98m | 12:23PM1.51m | 1:09PM1.41m | 2:38PM1.34m | 8:04AM1.10m | 4:32PM1.35m | 7:53AM1.16m | 5:45PM1.44m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 6:10PM0.23m | 5:24AM0.62m | 7:05PM0.30m | 5:36AM0.78m | 8:21PM0.37m | 10:08PM0.39m | 11:39PM0.32m | 10:40AM1.07m | 00:33AM0.23m | 12:03PM0.97m | 1:10AM0.14m | |||||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 |
226 | 127 | 99 | 108 | 72 | 475 | 334 | 366 | 280 | 242 | 405 | 369 | 303 | 42 | 379 | 375 | 77 | 164 | 164 | 155 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | S 9 | SW 21 | S 12 | SW 20 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
192 | 188 | 161 | 157 | 157 | 43 | 17 | 26 | 160 | 69 | 206 | 158 | 158 | 137 | 51 | 53 | 375 | 522 | 522 | 493 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 12 | SW 21 | WNW 11 | W 6 | S 8 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 |
39 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 108 | 27 | 26 | 10 | 48 | 160 | 12 | 23 | 11 | 296 | 135 | 93 | 83 | 48 | 76 | 51 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 5 | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 70 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 0 | 149 | 21 | 2 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 12 | 21 | 21 | 2 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the La Jolla Cove Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for La Jolla Cove provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at La Jolla Cove can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our La Jolla Cove 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 (La Jolla Cove) 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 La Jolla Cove 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.
La Jolla Cove is 10 km (6 miles) from San Diego. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Diego. San Diego has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










