Surf Forecasts:
La Jolla Cove surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 487 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s 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 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 14s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Jolla Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this outlook’s a tough one. We’ve got a 16-day window, and honestly, there’s barely a ripple worth getting wet for. The first decent-looking surf isn't until Saturday, July 18th, so don't bother paddling out before then. We’re looking at a long, dry spell of junk.
For the first few days, it’s all small, weak, and messy. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th have waves around 2ft to 3ft, but the wind is cross-off and the energy is weak. The comments are all "poor surf conditions". Just leave the board in the car.
Now, Saturday the 18th morning is our one and only standout. La Jolla Cove (La Jolla Cove) finally shows a pulse. We’re looking at a 3ft swell from the SW, but here’s the kicker – the period is 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell with some grunt, and the combined energy is moderate. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSW at 10 mph, which will keep it clean. This is a reef and point break, so that long-period, straight-up swell should wrap in nicely. The water is a notable 72°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. Keep in mind, it can get crowded here sometimes, so get there early. The afternoon session goes to junk with a cross-on wind, so the morning is the only window.
After that little tease, it’s back to the drawing board. Sunday the 19th through to the end of the month is a graveyard. Swell drops to 1ft, the period crashes, and it's mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds. The energy barely registers. There’s a tiny bump in size on the 26th and 27th (4ft), but it’s short-period windswell from the WNW with cross-on winds, making for ugly, choppy conditions. Every single entry after that Saturday reads "poor surf conditions." It’s a total write-off for a solid week and a half.
No other options, no hidden gems. This is one of those stretches where the ocean just shuts down. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon night, min 20°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | W 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 5 | SSW 16 | WNW 5 | SW 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 122 | 136 | 177 | 181 | 132 | 150 | 370 | 379 | 83 | 81 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 69 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 34 | 15 | 20 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 12:05PM1.33m | 11:13PM1.89m | 12:46PM1.38m | 00:02AM1.65m | 1:30PM1.42m | 00:55AM1.38m | 2:16PM1.45m | 2:00AM1.12m | 3:05PM1.48m | 3:37AM0.92m | 3:58PM1.50m | 5:57AM0.86m | 4:54PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:06PM0.56m | 6:14AM-0.21m | 6:05PM0.57m | 6:52AM-0.02m | 7:12PM0.59m | 7:29AM0.19m | 8:31PM0.58m | 8:06AM0.41m | 10:06PM0.52m | 8:46AM0.60m | 11:41PM0.40m | 9:39AM0.76m | 00:51AM0.25m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | SW 18 | S 12 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 118 | 136 | 96 | 90 | 70 | 46 | 370 | 174 | 602 | 1347 | 1327 | 1106 | 1187 | 769 | 195 | 506 | 559 | 551 | 437 | 431 | 316 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 18 | S 11 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | S 13 |
| kJ | 122 | 121 | 177 | 181 | 132 | 130 | 101 | 379 | 235 | 81 | 77 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 452 | 86 | 54 | 34 | 15 | 20 | 166 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 47 | 46 | 106 | 73 | 83 | 150 | 35 | 24 | 83 | 15 | 13 | 74 | 71 | 69 | 42 | 38 | 39 | 34 | 75 | 99 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | SSE 3 | S 3 | S 4 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 14 | 12 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 127 | 39 | 149 | 68 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 21 | 21 | 2 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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