
Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 434 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s see what we’ve got for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty grim run for Mavericks. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions. The problem is that the swell is mostly small, the wind is almost always all wrong – blowing cross-on or onshore, chopping up whatever’s out there. The water’s sitting at 63°, which is much warmer than we’d expect for this time of year; feels more like late summer than mid-August.
The period kicks off and it’s a write-off. From Tuesday, the 11th, all the way through to the end of the week, it’s just not worth getting wet. We’ve got a small 4ft to 4ft WNW swell, but it’s paired with 9–12 mph cross-on winds that are turning the surface into a mess. The wave energy is sitting between 297 and 398 (moderate), but it’s poor quality. This pattern holds into the second week as well – the swell stays tiny, and the wind stays onshore. There is a brief moment on the morning of Tuesday, the 18th when the wind goes glassy, and the energy is moderate at 252, but the surf is still marginal with 2ft from the SW. The comment says “expect good surf conditions,” but with the size that small, we’re looking at weak, slow waves.
Then, from Wednesday the 19th, it’s back to onshore grunge. Later in the window, around the 24th and 25th, a bit more energy shows up – we get a combined energy of 440 to 485 (moderate), but the swell is still small (3ft to 4ft) and the wind is cross-on or onshore, so the quality is still poor. By the 26th, the energy climbs to 633 (strong), but the wind is still ruining it.
No standout days here. This is a full-on blank run for the area. If you’re desperate for a paddle, maybe try the glassy morning of the 18th for some tiny, clean waves, but don’t expect much. Otherwise, this setup looks more interesting for the kite surfing crew than for a traditional paddle surfer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
184 | 184 | 217 | 199 | 176 | 176 | 176 | 149 | 106 | 161 | 211 | 400 | 268 | 367 | 358 | 276 | 305 | 251 | 214 | 167 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:56PM2.03m | 11:48AM1.54m | 10:48PM1.98m | 12:24PM1.60m | 11:39PM1.88m | 12:58PM1.65m | 00:30AM1.72m | 1:31PM1.68m | 1:22AM1.54m | 2:05PM1.69m | 2:20AM1.35m | 2:40PM1.68m | 3:28AM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:01PM0.79m | 5:00AM-0.32m | 4:54PM0.68m | 5:41AM-0.24m | 5:45PM0.58m | 6:20AM-0.11m | 6:37PM0.49m | 6:58AM0.06m | 7:28PM0.43m | 7:35AM0.26m | 8:23PM0.38m | 8:13AM0.47m | 9:21PM0.35m | |||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
184 | 184 | 217 | 199 | 176 | 176 | 176 | 127 | 97 | 76 | 37 | 400 | 268 | 367 | 358 | 276 | 305 | 251 | 214 | 167 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 14 | WNW 7 | SW 13 | WNW 5 | WNW 10 | S 10 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | W 12 | WNW 9 |
102 | 152 | 108 | 130 | 161 | 122 | 119 | 149 | 106 | 161 | 169 | 26 | 61 | 13 | 56 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SW 20 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 10 | SW 10 |
112 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 38 | 97 | 102 | 211 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 27 | 25 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | W 10 | — | — | W 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 42 | — | 68 | — | — | 40 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 260 | 5 | 35 | 71 | 5 | 76 | 74 | 35 | 35 | 71 | 39 | 35 | 76 | 35 | 35 | 74 | 35 | 35 | 76 | 0 |
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.











