Surf Forecasts:
La Jolla Cove surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 487 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Jolla Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m gonna translate this for the folks who think in feet, miles, and Fahrenheit.
The outlook for La Jolla Cove is pretty grim for a while. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf coming up, with nothing that gets me stoked. From Friday July 17th through the next week, the waves are tiny and the wind is mostly junk. You’ll see swell from 1 to 3 feet but with cross or onshore breezes, it’s not going to be clean.
The one small bright spot? Friday morning July 17th – the water is super warm, about 72°F, which is 5° above normal. A 2 foot southwest swell with a very long period of 19 seconds is coming in, with a light cross-off breeze at 12 mph. That’s just about the only clean window for beginners. The energy is moderate, but the wave call says marginal, so expect pretty weak waves.
After that, Saturday through the next week, we see similar small stuff: mostly 2 to 3 feet, with onshore winds and short periods. On July 23rd and 24th, there’s a touch more size – about 4 feet from the WNW – but it’s short period and cross-onshore, so it’ll be choppy and crumbly.
The best-looking window from a distance is Tuesday July 28th morning through Wednesday July 29th afternoon. We get consistent 3 foot SW groundswell with periods of 12 to 14 seconds, and light cross-off winds. The energy is moderate, and the wind is favourable. Still small and marginal, but the cleanest we’ll see after week one.
From July 30th into August 1st, it fades back to tiny, poor surf. For a reef and point, this is a dry spell. If you really need to paddle, try Friday morning the 17th, or earmark July 28-29 for a better shot. Forecasts can change, but right now this is a tough stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 20°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 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 181 | 132 | 150 | 370 | 379 | 125 | 429 | 487 | 74 | 71 | 69 | 68 | 40 | 76 | 84 | 35 | 25 | 87 | 139 | 130 | 107 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 7:48AM0.93m | 5:48PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:53AM0.86m | 1:41AM0.12m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | S 13 | W 7 |
| kJ | 85 | 64 | 48 | 370 | 379 | 138 | 181 | 469 | 669 | 384 | 558 | 560 | 506 | 474 | 551 | 437 | 394 | 316 | 139 | 572 | 107 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 15 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | S 14 | S 15 | SSE 12 | S 13 | W 7 | S 12 |
| kJ | 181 | 132 | 130 | 101 | 123 | 83 | 429 | 487 | 74 | 393 | 291 | 412 | 176 | 116 | 84 | 94 | 209 | 157 | 417 | 130 | 235 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 16 | S 13 | WNW 15 | WNW 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | SW 11 | S 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SW 26 | S 15 |
| kJ | 102 | 83 | 150 | 26 | 24 | 125 | 206 | 77 | 7 | 71 | 69 | 68 | 40 | 76 | 35 | 35 | 25 | 209 | 213 | 171 | 272 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | WNW 5 | W 4 | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 9 | 24 | 87 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 68 | 0 | 68 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 4 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 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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