Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period, SW swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mavericks in the next 16 days are 0.7m 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+) | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| 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
Alright, let’s talk Mavericks in feet and miles per hour. This is a bleak outlook, I won’t sugarcoat it. This spot needs a solid WNW to NW groundswell and clean conditions to fire, and for the next 16 days, it’s just not cooperating. The wind is almost always cross-onshore, the swell is mostly short-period junk, and the wave energy is weak to moderate. Water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing special.
Starting Wednesday the 19th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SW swell with a 15-second period – long period, but wrong direction and light cross-onshore wind means it’s messy. Wave energy is weak (375). This pattern holds through the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd with swell heights barely scraping 4ft, short periods mostly under 8 seconds, and light to moderate cross-onshore winds. The waves are small, choppy, and gutless. Energy stays in the 130–404 range, weak to moderate. That’s a full week of poor surf.
The 24th to the 25th, we get a tiny 1ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period, but the energy is still only moderate (226–261). Wind goes light and onshore, but the swell is just too small. Marginal at best, maybe a longboard on a good tide.
The 26th through the 28th sees a bump to 4–5ft from the WNW, but the period is short – 7 to 8 seconds – and the wind is cross-onshore. Energy climbs to 374–478, moderate, but the waves will be lumpy and weak. Not worth it.
The 29th of August into the 30th and 31st, we see a longer-period SW swell (16–17 seconds) but heights drop to 2–3ft. The energy on the 29th morning spikes to 745 (strong), but the wind is still moderate cross-onshore. That’s the most interesting energy we’ve seen, but it’s still poor surf.
The 1st of September is more of the same. Then, on Wednesday the 2nd of September, we finally get a real pulse: 6ft WNW swell with a 9-second period, light onshore wind in the morning, and energy jumps to 682 (strong). The afternoon holds 6ft with 10-second period and 703 energy. This is the best we’re going to see. The waves will have some size, but the period is short for a reef like Mavericks, and the wind is cross-onshore to onshore, so bumpy. It’s a marginal session for experienced surfers only. The 3rd of September holds similar size, but the wind goes cross-onshore again, and energy is still strong (664), but messy.
So, what’s the standout? There isn’t a true standout. The morning of the 2nd of September is the closest thing to a go – most size and energy, but wind and short period keep it from being good. For the rest of the 16 days, it’s a long, flat, choppy grind. This is a normal quiet spell for the area. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d be looking for a different plan for a couple of weeks.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
104 | 217 | 226 | 161 | 127 | 132 | 114 | 83 | 56 | 82 | 53 | 53 | 96 | 95 | 112 | 113 | 113 | 108 | 142 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 10:20AM1.32m | 8:36PM1.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:03PM0.95m | 3:52AM0.01m | ||||||
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | W 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
96 | 104 | 104 | 161 | 127 | 132 | 99 | 64 | 56 | 82 | 53 | 32 | 96 | 95 | 96 | 82 | 53 | 36 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 11 | W 12 | SW 14 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 17 |
87 | 217 | 226 | 91 | 98 | 102 | 114 | 83 | 44 | 34 | 33 | 46 | 60 | 94 | 112 | 87 | 82 | 82 | 142 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | W 13 | W 12 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 14 |
104 | 54 | 74 | 152 | 96 | 15 | 102 | 74 | 49 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 14 | 38 | 30 | 113 | 113 | 108 | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 91 | — | — | 56 | — | — | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 35 | 74 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 35 | 35 | 74 | 57 | 35 | 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.











