Surf Forecasts:
La Jolla Cove surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 273 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 0.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Jolla Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, looking at the outlook for La Jolla Cove. It's a pretty bleak stretch, to be honest. The first ten days or so are filled with tiny, weak windswell and a persistent cross-onshore breeze that's going to keep the surface choppy and messy. The water is really warm, about 72°, which is much warmer than average for this time of year.
The first real sign of life doesn't show up until Sunday the 23rd of August. We finally get a pulse of longer-period groundswell from the SW, with a period of 19 seconds, pushing the combined energy to 296 (moderate wave energy). The height is only about 2ft, but that long period will give the waves some push. The wind is still a light cross-onshore, so it won't be glassy, but it's a definite improvement over the flat spells before it.
The one true standout, and the only day I'd really point you to, is the afternoon of Monday the 24th of August. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the SSW, which is going to clean up the surface nicely. The swell is still from the SW with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is 205 (moderate wave energy). That long-period groundswell wrapping into this reef and point break, with a light offshore wind, should produce some fun, clean, lined-up waves. It's a beginner-friendly spot, but it can get crowded, so expect some company.
After that, it's back to the same old story. The wind turns back onshore, the energy fades, and the second week is a total loss, with nothing but tiny, choppy, short-period windswell.
So, my advice: mark your calendar for the afternoon of Monday the 24th of August. That's your best bet. Otherwise, save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 22°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 58 | 56 | 64 | 68 | 94 | 100 | 71 | 54 | 31 | 32 | 46 | 15 | 40 | 66 | 86 | 72 | 72 | 222 | 197 | 255 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:34AM1.04m | 1:42PM1.49m | 3:28AM0.88m | 2:37PM1.45m | 3:54PM1.43m | 8:26AM1.03m | 5:14PM1.47m | 8:32AM1.09m | 6:16PM1.55m | 8:46AM1.14m | 7:02PM1.65m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:47PM0.45m | 6:50AM0.62m | 9:15PM0.47m | 7:07AM0.79m | 11:03PM0.41m | 00:25AM0.30m | 10:32AM1.01m | 1:16AM0.18m | 12:09PM0.97m | 1:53AM0.09m | 12:58PM0.88m | 2:23AM0.01m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 261 | 56 | 64 | 68 | 94 | 100 | 71 | 242 | 239 | 236 | 217 | 156 | 137 | 135 | 86 | 239 | 225 | 98 | 135 | 273 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 61 | 321 | 232 | 116 | 339 | 382 | 387 | 54 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 15 | 15 | 66 | 90 | 72 | 72 | 74 | 54 | 255 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | S 9 | SW 20 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | W 9 |
| kJ | 10 | 9 | 114 | 160 | 6 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 31 | 32 | 46 | 81 | 40 | 78 | 82 | 57 | 58 | 222 | 197 | 64 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 2 | 3 | 149 | 2 | 127 | 21 | 2 | 20 | 21 | 2 | 21 | 21 | 16 |
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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