Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SSW swell with 202 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with WNW 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mavericks in the next 16 days are 0.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get real about the next 16 days at Mavericks. The honest truth is, this is a tough stretch. We're looking at a long, dry period with very little to get excited about.
The water temperature is sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won't need the thickest wetsuit, but that's about the only good news.
The first real chance of anything surfable doesn't show up until Monday, the 24th of August, and even then it's a marginal call. We've got a tiny 1ft, long-period 18-second groundswell from the SW. The energy is weak, at 301, and the wind is light and cross-onshore. It's not going to be pretty, but it's a pulse of energy in a dead zone. The best of a bad bunch might be Tuesday morning, the 25th of August, with a similar 2ft SW swell, again light cross-onshore wind, but still just a marginal prospect.
Then we hit a bit of a lull again until Thursday, the 27th of August. The swell starts to build, with 6ft from the WNW, but it's short-period, 8 seconds, and the wind is messy. The energy jumps to 720 (moderate), but the conditions are still poor. This pattern repeats through Friday the 28th and into Saturday the 29th.
Now, Saturday the 29th of August morning is the only time in the whole 16 days that stands out, but it needs a lot of caveats. We get a solid 6ft of WNW swell, with a combined energy reading of 1015 – that's strong energy. The wind is light and onshore, so it won't be perfect, but it might be the best we see. However, this is a big, powerful wave for a spot like Mavericks. At 6ft, it's getting into the territory that's only for experts. This is a reef break, and with that strong energy, it's going to be heavy. If you're not an expert, stay well clear.
After that, the surf drops off again and stays weak and messy right through to the end of the forecast on Thursday, the 3rd of September. Honestly, for most of this period, the conditions are so poor and the swell so weak that the setup looks more interesting for the kite surfers than for paddle surfers.
The main takeaway? There's one marginal day on the 24th, and one potentially dangerous day for experts on the 29th. The rest is a write-off. Stay patient.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 15 | W 12 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | W 11 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
226 | 152 | 99 | 138 | 102 | 83 | 56 | 52 | 49 | 46 | 113 | 138 | 125 | 128 | 113 | 108 | 142 | 173 | 94 | 89 | |
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 | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 10:46AM1.36m | 9:20PM1.75m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:42PM0.87m | 4:24AM-0.01m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 12 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SW 16 | WNW 6 |
104 | 75 | 88 | 98 | 58 | 41 | 56 | 52 | 33 | 32 | 113 | 138 | 125 | 128 | 103 | 89 | 67 | 38 | 94 | 37 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 15 | W 12 | SSW 14 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SW 16 |
226 | 152 | 99 | 138 | 85 | 83 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 60 | 94 | 112 | 88 | 82 | 82 | 142 | 173 | 68 | 89 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 |
74 | 93 | 96 | 15 | 102 | 74 | 49 | 47 | 49 | 46 | 14 | 29 | 29 | 113 | 113 | 108 | 71 | 68 | 50 | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 6 | NW 6 | — | WNW 5 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — |
— | — | — | 64 | 75 | — | 26 | 28 | 40 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 74 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 63 | 74 | 76 | 63 | 35 | 76 | 35 | 35 | 71 | 35 | 35 | 74 | 21 | 35 | 71 | 8 |
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.











