La Jolla Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.85° N 117.27° W

La Jolla Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's La Jolla Cove sea temperature is
22.1°C
1.9° 

La Jolla Cove surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


La Jolla Cove surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 560 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 17s period. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 17s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 9th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 9th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Most Powerful 5AM (Thu 10th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Jolla Cove over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at the next couple of weeks, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on our hands. The surf’s gonna be small and pretty average at times, but there are a couple of windows that’ll get the blood pumpin’. The first real action kicks off from Thursday the 10th, but we’ll take it from the top.

Alright, so Wednesday the 9th is a write-off—rain showers and a tiny 3ft south-west swell with a long 17-second period, but the wind is onshore and the energy is weak (330). Not worth paddling out for.

Thursday the 10th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning session is looking clean with a 3ft south-west swell, a very long 17-second period, and a cross-offshore breeze. The wave energy is moderate (556). The afternoon holds similar conditions—3ft, 16-second period, and still clean. This is a solid option for the early crew. The water temp is 72°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

Friday the 11th is a bit of a tease. The morning has a 3ft south-west swell with a 15-second period and cross-off wind, but the energy is still decent (523). The score is just okay, though. The afternoon drops to 3ft with the same period, still clean but nothing special.

Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are messy. Saturday morning is cross-on with a weak 3ft swell and a short 6-second period in the arvo—energy is pitiful (46). Sunday morning bounces back a little with a 4ft west-northwest swell and a 7-second period, but it’s choppy. The afternoon gets a cross-shore wind and a bit of chop.

From Monday the 14th through to Saturday the 19th, it’s mostly small and sloppy. We’ve got a few days of light winds and tiny 1ft to 3ft swells, but the energy is weak and the conditions are onshore or cross-on. Not worth a session.

Now, here’s the standout. Saturday the 19th afternoon sees a shift. The swell is 3ft from the south-west with an 18-second period, but the wind turns cross-offshore from the south, and the wave energy jumps to 474—moderate. The water’s clean, and the conditions are good. This is a sneaky little window for La Jolla Cove (reef and point). It’s a consistent spot that’s fairly exposed to the swell, and the direction is bang on from the south-west. The swell is small, so beginners can have a go, but the long period means it’ll be more lined up on the reef. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

But the real highlight is Sunday the 20th. The afternoon session is firing. The swell holds at 3ft from the south-west, still with an 18-second period, but the wind is light and cross-offshore from the south-southwest. The wave energy is strong (748), and the conditions are described as “very good.” This is the best day on offer. The swell direction matches the optimum, and with light winds, the waves will be clean and glassy. The long period means it’ll be a bit straighter on the beach, but at this reef and point break, it’ll be a dream. Again, it’s small enough for most, but the power is there.

Monday the 21st morning is still okay with a 4ft south-west swell and 17-second period, but the wind is cross-shore, and the energy is still strong (720). The afternoon turns cross-on and gets choppy, so stick to the morning.

After that, from Tuesday the 22nd to Thursday the 24th, it’s all onshore wind and tiny swells dropping to 1.0ft. The energy flatlines (10 to 11). That’s it for the window.

So, bottom line: Sunday the 20th afternoon is the standout. Get out there for a clean, glassy session with a long-period south-west swell. Saturday the 19th afternoon is a good warm-up. Don’t bother with the rest.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
1
2
1
1
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
1
SW
17
1
SW
16
1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
0.8
W
6
0.6
SW
14
1.2
WNW
7
1.2
WNW
8
1.1
W
8
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
330
419
540
496
483
465
360
309
248
46
158
164
187
153
150
192
241
206
157
157
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
S
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
S
20
S
15
SSW
10
SW
15
WSW
15
W
5
WSW
15
SSW
15
SW
5
SSW
15
SW
15
SW
5
SSW
10
SW
10
W
5
WNW
Wind State
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
8:38PM1.92m
9:32AM1.58m
9:21PM1.84m
10:00AM1.66m
10:03PM1.71m
10:28AM1.70m
10:44PM1.53m
10:55AM1.70m
11:28PM1.34m
11:22AM1.67m
00:17AM1.15m
11:51AM1.60m
1:23AM0.98m
Low Tide
2:32PM0.40m
3:17AM-0.14m
3:15PM0.27m
3:47AM-0.04m
3:58PM0.20m
4:15AM0.11m
4:40PM0.16m
4:41AM0.28m
5:24PM0.18m
5:04AM0.45m
6:10PM0.23m
5:24AM0.62m
7:05PM0.30m
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:28
6:30
6:31
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:02
7:01
7:00
6:59
6:58
6:57
6:54
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
28
25
25
24
23
22
23
22
21
21
20
21
21
20
20
21
20
20
21
20
Feels °C
30
27
26
24
24
22
23
23
21
20
21
21
20
21
21
20
21
20
21
21
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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