
Surf Forecasts:
La Jolla Cove surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 573 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 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 1.5m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Jolla Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey crew, Rusty here checking in on La Jolla Cove. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but these next 16 days are looking flat and ugly. There’s one slim chance early on, but the conditions are so so-so it’s hardly worth wetting your suit. First shot is Saturday morning, July 18, with a 3ft swell from the SW at a long 18-second interval – real groundswell energy (combined energy 394). Wind is cross-shore from the SW at 9 mph, so it’s bumpy. Water temp is 73°F, a solid 6° above normal – that’s super warm for this time of year. But it’s a marginal call, and the waves will be messy.
Then we hit a big gap – nothing rideable for over a week. Next up is Tuesday morning, July 28, with a 4ft WNW swell and a short 8-second period, cross-shore wind from the WSW at 6 mph. Combined energy is 310 – moderate, but the short period kills the shape. That one’s also marginal. After that, it’s all empty through August 2. La Jolla Cove is usually a consistent spot, so this dry run is a bummer. Keep an eye on the charts – things can turn around.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 16 | WNW 5 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
370 | 379 | 125 | 354 | 424 | 14 | 16 | 367 | 7 | 40 | 35 | 20 | 42 | 47 | 57 | 55 | 53 | 69 | 68 | 60 | 43 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 8:42AM1.01m | 6:36PM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:05PM0.89m | 2:19AM0.02m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
370 | 379 | 138 | 143 | 393 | 229 | 284 | 238 | 635 | 806 | 559 | 551 | 437 | 394 | 57 | 55 | 513 | 564 | 285 | 235 | 437 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | S 10 | WNW 5 | SSW 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 26 | W 6 | SW 24 | S 11 | SSW 21 |
101 | 123 | 83 | 354 | 424 | 468 | 419 | 367 | 94 | 9 | 62 | 20 | 42 | 107 | 316 | 210 | 171 | 69 | 563 | 114 | 799 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | SW 16 | S 12 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 14 | WNW 5 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | SSW 8 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 24 | W 6 |
24 | 22 | 125 | 199 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 69 | 7 | 40 | 35 | 53 | 113 | 71 | 209 | 177 | 49 | 49 | 121 | 368 | 43 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 6 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 9 | — | 9 | 20 | — | — | 47 | — | — | 53 | — | 68 | 60 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 2 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










