Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period, SW swell with 229 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mavericks this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Mavericks in the next 16 days are 0.7m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Gather 'round, folks. Rusty here. Let's be straight with you. This outlook for the next 16 days out here is about as lean as it gets. For the most part, we're looking at a whole lot of "poor surf conditions" across the board. It's a grim run, but sometimes that's the nature of the beast in this corner of the world. The good news is, forecasts can always change, so don't throw your board in the shed just yet.
Let's walk through it. Starting now, the immediate days are a total write-off. We're talking small, weak swell with messy cross-onshore winds up and down the coast. The energy in the water is just pitiful, with readings barely breaking into the low 200s to 300s, which is very weak. The wind is just ruining any chance of a clean face.
The first tiny glimmer of hope doesn't show up until Tuesday, August 25th. Even then, it's marginal at best. The only spot worth mentioning is Mavericks. Normally this place is a beast, but here it’s barely breathing. On the morning of the 25th, we get a pulse of 2 feet swell from the SW, with a long 17-second period (groundswell). The wind is light and offshore from the W, which is good. But the water is still very weak (266 energy). It’s labelled as "marginal surf." Not a standout, just the first flicker after a long, flat gap. The water temperature is about 62°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year.
After that, it gets rough again. The wind picks back up and the quality drops right off. We see another tiny window late in the forecast around Saturday, August 29th. The morning offers some 3 feet SW swell with a solid 18-second period. The wind is light and offshore from the W. The combined energy is starting to build, hitting 568, which is moderate. Still only labelled as "marginal." It’s not the kind of day to call in sick for, but if you're desperate, you might find a rare peak at Mavericks that holds together.
Then, there is one date that actually catches the eye, so listen up. Monday, August 31st, the morning session is the best on offer in the entire outlook. We get a jump in size to a solid 6 feet from the WNW, with a short 8-second period. The combined energy finally punches into the strong zone at 856. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the SSW, which isn't perfect but should be surfable. This is the most energy we've seen by a wide margin. The swell direction is a little off the optimum for a west-northwest spot like Mavericks, but 6 feet with that energy and cross-shore wind is the only real window we get. It’s still labelled "marginal" but it's easily the pick of a terrible bunch. Keep in mind, though, 6 feet out at Mavericks is still a serious wave; if you're not an expert, stay well clear. It's not for beginners.
After that, it fades back into the abyss with poor conditions right through to the end of the forecast. So, the takeaway is simple: this 16-day run is a big fat dud. Your best bet is the Monday the 31st, but even that's a long shot given the short period and imperfect wind. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because things can turn. For now, get the wetsuit fixed and wait for a proper pulse.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). 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) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
217 | 169 | 176 | 125 | 121 | 217 | 229 | 226 | 99 | 102 | 208 | 163 | 107 | 168 | 101 | 113 | 146 | 134 | 147 | 113 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:40PM1.68m | 3:28AM1.19m | 3:17PM1.65m | 4:57AM1.08m | 4:01PM1.62m | 6:46AM1.07m | 4:53PM1.59m | 8:15AM1.14m | 5:52PM1.59m | 9:10AM1.21m | 6:52PM1.61m | 9:49AM1.27m | 7:47PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:21PM0.35m | 8:56AM0.67m | 10:24PM0.32m | 9:46AM0.85m | 11:32PM0.29m | 10:54AM0.99m | 00:41AM0.24m | 12:13PM1.05m | 1:42AM0.18m | 1:23PM1.05m | 2:33AM0.11m | 2:18PM1.01m | 3:16AM0.05m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
217 | 169 | 92 | 116 | 121 | 128 | 142 | 226 | 99 | 98 | 208 | 163 | 80 | 149 | 101 | 113 | 146 | 134 | 147 | 86 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | W 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 15 |
26 | 22 | 176 | 125 | 88 | 217 | 229 | 152 | 99 | 102 | 102 | 58 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 46 | 60 | 94 | 112 | 87 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | WNW 9 | W 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | SW 14 | SW 19 | W 11 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 10 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 18 |
3 | 26 | 3 | 44 | 68 | 54 | 74 | 65 | 96 | 15 | 62 | 74 | 49 | 47 | 18 | 43 | 14 | 29 | 29 | 113 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 91 | — | — | 107 | 168 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 76 | 35 | 48 | 74 | 35 | 35 | 74 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 35 | 71 | 74 | 35 | 35 | 74 | 35 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Mateo | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Mavericks Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Mavericks provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Mavericks can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Mavericks 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 (Mavericks) 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 Mavericks 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.
Mavericks is 13 km (8 miles) from Pacifica. If you plan a vacation in San Mateo, look for hotels and other accommodation in Pacifica. Pacifica has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











