
Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 496 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mavericks in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s just call it how I see it. We’re looking at a lean run for Mavericks across this whole 16-day window. Honestly, for a wave of this calibre, it’s a frustrating stretch. There are no proper standouts here – nothing that gets me fired up to load the boards. The first real sniff of anything rideable doesn't even show up until the morning of Sunday, August 9th, and even then, it’s marginal at best. We’re talking about a solid week of poor surf conditions before we even get a glimmer. Then there’s another stretch from around Thursday the 14th through to the end where the waves just fade away.
That first session on Sunday morning the 9th is the pick of a very average bunch. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell rolling in from the WNW with a 10-second period. The combined wave energy is moderate, coming in at (534). Wind is light and smooth – a light breeze out of the west, which is basically offshore for this spot. That’s the key positive: clean, lined-up conditions at the famous big-wave reef. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year.
By Sunday afternoon, that offshore breeze swings westerly and picks up to 12 mph, turning it cross-onshore and choppy. The shine wears off fast.
Monday the 10th is one to sleep in. We’ve got a light cross-onshore wind and the wave quality drops right off.
The rest of that first week is a write-off. Onshore and cross-shore winds are a problem, and while there’s still some swell hanging around, the conditions are just poor. Tuesday through Thursday of that week are particularly nasty with a moderate breeze making a mess of things. The swell is all over the place – some long-period groundswell sneaks in from the SW, but the period isn't helping with the chop.
For the second week, from around the 15th onward, the surf goes sleepy. We’re looking at small, 2ft to 3ft leftovers from the southwest. There’s a bit of long-period energy (16 to 18 seconds), but the wind is consistently cross-onshore or onshore. Energy levels are moderate, but the “poor surf conditions” tag follows almost every session. A few mornings on the 18th, 19th and 24th get a “marginal” tag, but frankly, it’s still small and not worth the paddle out. For a spot this heavy, it’s just not on.
Bottom line: The only window worth a look is the first few hours on Sunday the 9th. After that, it’s a waiting game. This is one of those runs where the ocean just isn’t cooperating for paddle surfing at Mavericks.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
169 | 332 | 312 | 455 | 340 | 232 | 180 | 248 | 193 | 152 | 172 | 151 | 161 | 137 | 153 | 149 | 106 | 130 | 211 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:49AM1.29m | 8:01PM1.98m | 10:32AM1.39m | 9:01PM2.03m | 11:11AM1.47m | 9:56PM2.03m | 11:48AM1.54m | 10:48PM1.98m | 12:24PM1.60m | 11:39PM1.88m | 12:58PM1.65m | 00:30AM1.72m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:36AM-0.20m | 2:04PM0.97m | 3:29AM-0.29m | 3:06PM0.89m | 4:17AM-0.34m | 4:01PM0.79m | 5:00AM-0.32m | 4:54PM0.68m | 5:41AM-0.24m | 5:45PM0.58m | 6:20AM-0.11m | 6:37PM0.49m | |||||||
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
8:10 | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SW 14 |
88 | 332 | 312 | 455 | 340 | 232 | 180 | 248 | 193 | 151 | 172 | 151 | 122 | 137 | 82 | 71 | 44 | 37 | 167 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 18 |
169 | 166 | 107 | 104 | 102 | 91 | 70 | 70 | 102 | 152 | 108 | 94 | 161 | 122 | 153 | 149 | 106 | 103 | 211 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 11 | SSW 11 | W 12 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SSW 18 | WNW 7 |
35 | 36 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 60 | 60 | 58 | 81 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 9 | 11 | 26 | 23 | 97 | 130 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 35 | 386 | 35 | 35 | 71 | 5 | 5 | 146 | 24 | 93 | 76 | 93 | 35 | 76 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 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.











