
Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 21s period, SW swell with 763 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mavericks this week:
The surf forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mavericks in the next 16 days are 0.9m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for Mavericks. We’ve got a lot of low energy, poor conditions, and not much to get excited about. The water is running a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 60°F with an anomaly of 3°F, which is notable but not wild.
The forecast starts clean on Sunday the 19th of July, but it’s a write-off. Tiny 2ft swell from the SW with a long 17-second period, but the wind is onshore from the W at 9 mph, and the combined energy is a weak 478. It’s just poor surf conditions. Come Monday morning the 20th, we’re looking at 2ft SW swell, 16-second period, but cross-onshore wind from the WSW at 9 mph making it choppy. The energy is down to 258. This theme continues day after day through the week. Small swells, ugly cross-onshore winds, and a combined energy that barely cracks 300-400. It’s a tough stretch.
We get a bit more energy on Friday the 24th of July morning, with a 2ft SW swell and a very long 24-second period, giving a combined energy of 684. That’s a moderate energy reading, but it’s still cross-onshore and the surf is only marginal. The period is so long that at a beach break like Mavericks, it’s likely to break too straight, and the small size doesn’t help. Not a standout.
The best of a bad bunch might be the morning of Saturday the 26th of July. We’ve got 3ft SW swell with a 19-second period, combined energy hitting 1147, which is moderate to strong. The wind is onshore from the WNW at 9 mph, so it’s not glassy, but at least it’s not a full cross-onshore. Still, the surf quality is only marginal. It’s the best we’ll see, but don’t expect much.
Then the 27th of July Monday morning throws a wrench in it: 7ft swell from the WNW, but it’s short period at 8 seconds, mixed with a cross-onshore NW wind at 12 mph. The energy is a massive 1515, but it’s messy, choppy, and that size is getting too big for beginners. Experts might find something, but the wind is going to ruin it. The 28th of July Tuesday morning is similar: 7ft from the NW, 9-second period, 1702 energy, but again cross-onshore at 12 mph. It’s only for the experts, and even then, it’s a fight.
After that, the swell drops back down towards the end of the month and into the first of August, with small, weak swells and persistent cross-onshore winds. The 2nd of August Sunday morning gives a 3ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and a light cross-onshore breeze from the SSW at 6 mph, making it just marginal. But it’s nothing special.
The truth is, there’s no true standout here. The first week is a bust, and the second week is just as poor. If you’re desperate, the 26th of July morning is your best bet, but it’s not one to write home about. For an exposed spot like Mavericks, the combination of small swell and bad wind direction is a killer. We’ll have to wait for the forecasts to change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
261 | 196 | 196 | 251 | 303 | 321 | 148 | 191 | 155 | 208 | 206 | 210 | 237 | 448 | 444 | 298 | 548 | 365 | 455 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:40AM1.21m | 4:22PM1.67m | 5:05AM1.06m | 5:04PM1.67m | 6:50AM1.01m | 5:49PM1.67m | 8:25AM1.06m | 6:36PM1.68m | 9:33AM1.15m | 7:25PM1.69m | 10:22AM1.22m | 8:12PM1.72m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:05PM0.49m | 9:40AM0.41m | 11:14PM0.40m | 10:29AM0.62m | 00:22AM0.29m | 11:25AM0.80m | 1:25AM0.19m | 12:30PM0.93m | 2:19AM0.09m | 1:34PM1.00m | 3:07AM0.01m | 2:30PM1.02m | 3:48AM-0.05m | ||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
8:28 | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 |
261 | 62 | 196 | 251 | 303 | 321 | 148 | 191 | 155 | 208 | 206 | 210 | 61 | 229 | 204 | 113 | 131 | 154 | 188 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 8 | WNW 11 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
62 | 196 | 61 | 46 | 45 | 30 | 148 | 72 | 44 | 30 | 44 | 9 | 204 | 448 | 444 | 178 | 548 | 365 | 455 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | W 13 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | SSW 7 | WNW 10 | SW 26 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 22 | SSW 12 | — | SSW 12 |
102 | 76 | 71 | 37 | 30 | 49 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 237 | 44 | 42 | 298 | 172 | — | 129 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 100 | 110 | — | — | 127 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 74 | 0 | 35 | 71 | 35 | 71 | 74 | 35 | 198 | 71 | 39 | 71 | 441 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 35 | 35 | 73 |
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.










