Manresa State Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.94° N 121.87° W

Manresa State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Manresa State Beach sea temperature is
17.3°C
2.3° 

Manresa State Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Manresa State Beach surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, WNW swell with 676 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period with WNW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Manresa State Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Manresa State Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Manresa State Beach in the next 16 days are 2.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 13th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 6s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 14th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 9s
Most Powerful11PM (Mon 14th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Manresa State Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for us.

Right off the bat, the next couple of days are a write-off. Sunday’s got a bit of swell but the wind is all wrong – messy cross-onshore junk and a tiny 2ft SSW groundswell with a period of 13 seconds. The water is way warmer than normal for this time of year at 63°, which is a solid 4° above average – feels more like a tropical bathtub than a surf spot, but it’s not doing us any favours today. You’re better off staying on the beach.

Monday morning the 14th is the first real glimmer. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and we get a clean 5ft WNW swell, period 9 seconds. Combined wave energy is moderate at 463 – it’s not a massive day, but for a beginner spot like Manresa State Beach, it’s about as good as it gets. That glassy surface will make it look like a lake out there. If you’re learning, that’s your window. The afternoon turns cross-onshore and bumpy though, so get it while it’s clean.

Tuesday morning the 15th has a bit more size – 4ft – with clean offshore wind, but the wave comment flags it as marginal, and the combined energy is still only moderate (372). The afternoon goes to 4ft with onshore wind and poor conditions. Honestly, nothing here screams “go.”

Wednesday through Saturday of that first week are all in that 3 to 4ft range, mostly with clean offshore wind in the mornings, but the wave quality is rated as marginal or poor. The period drops to 8 seconds at times, which is short-period chop – not the kind of wave that gets you excited. The combined energy is moderate, peaking around 414-524, but the consistency doesn’t make up for the lack of quality.

Now, here’s the kicker – from Sunday the 20th through to the end of the outlook, it’s a long stretch of small, marginal surf. We’re looking at 2 to 3ft SSW groundswells with periods of 16 to 19 seconds. That’s a very long period, which means the waves will be clean and have some punch for their size, but they’re tiny. The combined energy is still moderate (in the 300-500 range), but the size is just too small for any real fun. The wind is mostly offshore or light cross-onshore, so it’ll look pretty, but you’ll be struggling to get a ride.

There’s one exception: Saturday morning the 26th has a glassy start with a 2ft SSW swell, period 13 seconds. Combined energy is 320 – still weak. It’s a “good surf conditions” call, but it’s small. For a beginner, that might be a fun little session, but for anyone else, it’s a paddle.

The standout? Monday morning the 14th. That glassy, clean 5ft WNW swell with moderate energy is the best on offer. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only time the stars align for decent shape and no wind. If you’re a beginner, that’s your day. If you’re more experienced, you’re probably waiting for something bigger, but it’s not coming in this 16-day window.

The rest of the period is a long, drawn-out stretch of small, clean but underwhelming surf. It’s not going to be flat, but it’s not going to be exciting either.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
2
2
3
1
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
1.5
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
9
1.6
WNW
9
1.7
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
8
1
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
8
0.6
SSW
16
0.4
SW
21
0.5
SSW
15
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
120
143
213
311
372
459
267
197
131
211
177
103
198
138
121
236
236
183
255
252
252
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
20
NW
0
NNE
5
WSW
10
WNW
0
N
5
SW
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
NNE
5
WSW
10
WSW
5
NW
5
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
12:23PM2.04m
1:12AM1.67m
12:55PM2.02m
2:12AM1.53m
1:28PM1.97m
3:25AM1.42m
2:07PM1.91m
5:05AM1.37m
2:55PM1.84m
7:02AM1.40m
3:58PM1.79m
8:09AM1.46m
5:12PM1.78m
Low Tide
7:01PM0.52m
6:39AM0.90m
7:51PM0.52m
7:10AM1.06m
8:47PM0.55m
7:41AM1.19m
9:51PM0.59m
8:18AM1.30m
11:03PM0.61m
9:22AM1.38m
00:14AM0.59m
11:11AM1.40m
1:12AM0.54m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:47
6:48
6:48
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:17
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:12
7:09
7:08
 mm
Temp °C
20
23
17
22
25
18
19
20
15
17
19
14
18
20
16
19
21
15
19
20
15
Feels °C
18
19
15
21
23
18
19
19
15
16
18
14
18
19
17
18
20
16
19
19
16
  • Map Icons:
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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 Manresa State Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Manresa State Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Manresa State Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Manresa State Beach 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 (Manresa State Beach) 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 Manresa State Beach 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.

Manresa State Beach is 10 km (6 miles) from Watsonville. If you plan a vacation in Santa Cruz, look for hotels and other accommodation in Watsonville. Watsonville has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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