
Surf Forecasts:
Mavericks surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 21s period, SW swell with 763 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period with SSW 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 (Jul 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 15s. 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 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mavericks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a 16-day stretch for Mavericks, and honestly, it’s a tough one. The opening days are flat with a tiny, weak 2ft swell from the SW, but it’s a long-period 16-second groundswell. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 60° – just a bit above average for the time of year. The real problem is the wind. It’s cross-onshore, and the wave energy is weak (258). It’s just not going to be worth paddling out for.
Things don’t improve much as we head into Monday afternoon and Tuesday. The swell picks up a little to 3ft from the SSW, but the period drops to 14 seconds and the wind stays cross-onshore, messing up the surface. The combined energy climbs a bit (374-445), but it’s still choppy and poor. Wednesday and Thursday are more of the same – tiny, messy, and cross-onshore. Friday morning on the 24th of July brings a jump in period to 24 seconds, a very long-period groundswell, but it’s only 2ft. The energy is moderate (724), but the wind is still an issue. The end of the first week and start of the second week (July 25th to 28th) is a real letdown. The swell stays under 3ft, the period drops, and the wind just won’t cooperate. There’s a long gap of flat, poor conditions.
Then, on the 28th of July, we get a real change. The swell jumps to 6ft from the WNW, but it’s a short-period 9-second wind swell. The energy is strong (1093), but the wind is a stiff cross-onshore. This is a powerful, choppy mess. The next day, July 29th, sees the biggest swell of the outlook – 8ft from the WNW, also 9 seconds. The energy is very strong (1976). This is expert territory only; it’s too big for most. The wind is onshore, so it will be a wild, chaotic paddle. The 30th of July backs off to 5ft, still from the WNW, but the energy drops to moderate (684). The wind is variable, but the conditions are still marginal.
The last few days of the outlook (August 1st to 4th) are a real letdown. The swell fades quickly to 2ft and 2ft, with weak energy. The wind is light and cross-onshore, but there’s simply no swell to work with. The 3rd of August sees a pulse of 5ft from the NW, but it’s short-period (8 seconds) and cross-onshore, so it’s just another messy day.
Honestly, the standout here is the 29th of July. The 8ft WNW swell is a big, powerful beast, but it’s short-period and cross-onshore. That’s pure grunt, but it’s not clean. This setup is really more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional paddle session. For a surfer, you’re looking at a very long, frustrating stretch. The best you can hope for is the 29th if you’re an expert, but don’t expect any beauty. Keep your expectations low.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
196 | 196 | 251 | 299 | 316 | 148 | 242 | 197 | 211 | 229 | 213 | 237 | 448 | 444 | 301 | 548 | 445 | 455 | 450 | 441 | 375 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:22PM1.67m | 5:05AM1.06m | 5:04PM1.67m | 6:50AM1.01m | 5:49PM1.67m | 8:25AM1.06m | 6:36PM1.68m | 9:33AM1.15m | 7:25PM1.69m | 10:22AM1.22m | 8:12PM1.72m | 11:00AM1.27m | 8:56PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:40AM0.41m | 11:14PM0.40m | 10:29AM0.62m | 00:22AM0.29m | 11:25AM0.80m | 1:25AM0.19m | 12:30PM0.93m | 2:19AM0.09m | 1:34PM1.00m | 3:07AM0.01m | 2:30PM1.02m | 3:48AM-0.05m | 3:19PM1.01m | 4:25AM-0.10m | |||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 21 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SW 19 | WNW 8 |
62 | 196 | 251 | 299 | 316 | 140 | 242 | 197 | 211 | 229 | 213 | 59 | 207 | 204 | 129 | 88 | 445 | 199 | 134 | 441 | 335 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 13 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 18 |
196 | 61 | 46 | 45 | 30 | 148 | 69 | 54 | 30 | 19 | 15 | 201 | 448 | 444 | 133 | 548 | 129 | 455 | 450 | 82 | 375 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | W 13 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | NW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SW 26 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 22 | SSW 12 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | — | SSW 11 |
76 | 71 | 37 | 30 | 49 | 26 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 44 | 21 | 237 | 24 | 17 | 301 | 131 | — | 127 | 79 | — | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | NW 7 | WNW 7 | — | NW 8 | WNW 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 45 | 62 | — | 147 | 85 | — | 229 | 157 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 74 | 35 | 48 | 310 | 8 | 76 | 30 | 0 | 48 | 76 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 35 | 35 | 73 | 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.










