Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 452 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me break it down in feet for you here at Mavericks.
Honestly, I’m not fired up about the start of this stretch. The first several days are pretty weak – tiny swell with the wind in the wrong direction, making a mess of things. There’s a real dry spell from the end of August through the first week of September where there’s just no quality surf on the cards. It’s a blank run, but around here that happens – don’t get too down about it.
Now, if you got the patience of a saint, things pick up around the 8th of September. That Tuesday morning we get about 5ft from the WNW, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s weak and disorganised. Not the big wave day Mavericks is famous for.
The one to lock in is Thursday the 10th of September. That afternoon the swell hits about 7ft from the WNW, with a 10-second period – that’s solid groundswell, strong energy (combined energy of all swells directed here is 1639). The wind is light and cross-onshore, so there’ll be some texture on the face. That’s the standout of the whole 16 days. For a spot like this, it’s strictly advanced, so if you're not in that crew, watch from the cliff. Crowds can be an issue sometimes, so expect a few other paddlers if it’s good.
Friday, the 11th of September, holds at about 5ft in the morning with light wind, but the energy is a little lower (757) and it drops to about 5ft by the afternoon. Still a decent session if you missed Thursday.
Then Monday, 14 September, we get another chest-high swell of about 6ft in the morning, with a light offshore wind from the West – that’ll be clean and lined up, with a combined energy of 674. Not the biggest, but clean.
So bottom line: sit through the early doldrums, hit that Thursday 10th hard if you’re an expert, and keep the Monday 14th as a backup if the winds hold.
Stay sharp, and that’s the whole story. - Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 19 | WNW 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
220 | 214 | 242 | 178 | 118 | 114 | 114 | 109 | 98 | 61 | 173 | 229 | 113 | 379 | 370 | 405 | 381 | 299 | 349 | 283 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:59AM1.47m | 1:17PM1.70m | 1:56AM1.34m | 1:51PM1.74m | 3:05AM1.21m | 2:33PM1.76m | 4:33AM1.12m | 3:25PM1.76m | 6:15AM1.12m | 4:28PM1.76m | 7:39AM1.21m | 5:39PM1.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:53PM0.37m | 6:55AM0.37m | 7:41PM0.27m | 7:31AM0.55m | 8:36PM0.20m | 8:12AM0.72m | 9:39PM0.14m | 9:03AM0.88m | 10:52PM0.09m | 10:16AM1.00m | 00:09AM0.02m | 11:44AM1.04m | 1:19AM-0.05m | |||||||
— | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 10 | W 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 17 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SSW 15 |
131 | 191 | 172 | 178 | 38 | 114 | 114 | 96 | 68 | 16 | 82 | 72 | 108 | 248 | 227 | 405 | 51 | 140 | 349 | 283 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | W 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 10 | WNW 9 |
220 | 214 | 211 | 14 | 118 | 26 | 50 | 109 | 98 | 34 | 173 | 229 | 113 | 379 | 370 | 22 | 381 | 299 | 28 | 96 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SW 20 | W 10 | W 9 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | W 15 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | W 18 | SW 10 |
2 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 7 | 21 | 12 | 21 | 59 | 61 | 58 | 53 | 45 | 28 | 40 | 17 | 90 | 55 | 6 | 26 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | — | — | W 7 | — | SSE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | — | WNW 10 | — |
— | — | 242 | 97 | — | — | 28 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 237 | — | — | 109 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 74 | 39 | 391 | 76 | 57 | 145 | 242 | 0 | 5 | 76 | 2 | 35 | 71 | 39 | 74 | 76 | 35 | 2 | 74 | 15 |
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.











