Surf Forecasts:
Moonlight Beach surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with 475 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Moonlight Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Moonlight Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Moonlight Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Moonlight Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let's talk Moonlight Beach over the next two weeks. It's an inconsistent, beginner-friendly spot that needs the right window to fire.
Right now the water's at 71°, a touch warmer than average for this time of year. The main action is coming from the SW.
We start on Friday the 11th with a proper groundswell: 3ft swell, 16-second period and a moderate cross-shore wind. The combined energy is moderate at 530. It's flagged as marginal, but that's the best we'll see for the first few days. By Friday afternoon it's down to 3ft and getting messier.
Saturday the 12th through Monday the 14th is a write-off. Swell drops to 2ft to 3ft, period drops below 15 seconds, and we're dealing with cross-onshore winds. Combined energy falls into the 200s and 300s. Weak stuff.
There's a glimmer on Wednesday the 16th morning: 3ft swell, 17-second period, combined energy of 510. But it's cross-onshore again, so it'll be choppy. Thursday the 17th is similar but with onshore wind.
Now for the real window. From Friday the 18th through Monday the 21st, we get a consistent run. Swell sits at 3ft to 3ft with a 17 to 19-second period. The combined energy jumps into the strong range, hitting 550 on Friday and peaking at 681 on Sunday the 20th. Saturday and Sunday have light cross-onshore winds, which will keep things clean enough. For an inconsistent spot, that's a solid few days. That long period groundswell can be a bit straight at a beach break, but with the SW direction spot on, it should wrap in alright.
Monday the 21st still has a 3ft, 17-second swell with cross winds – worth a surf. After that, it's a slow fade. Tuesday the 22nd gets windier, and by Wednesday the 23rd the energy is dropping. From the 24th onward, it's back to small, short-period junk with combined energy in the 200s and 300s. Not worth the effort.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 471 | 360 | 309 | 248 | 208 | 158 | 131 | 131 | 225 | 200 | 192 | 188 | 163 | 157 | 157 | 475 | 164 | 291 | 280 | 246 | 239 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:01AM2.05m | 10:03PM2.06m | 10:28AM2.09m | 10:46PM1.88m | 10:56AM2.09m | 11:29PM1.68m | 11:24AM2.06m | 00:18AM1.49m | 11:53AM1.99m | 1:22AM1.32m | 12:27PM1.89m | 3:51AM1.22m | 1:13PM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:00PM0.53m | 4:14AM0.43m | 4:43PM0.49m | 4:40AM0.61m | 5:27PM0.50m | 5:04AM0.79m | 6:13PM0.56m | 5:24AM0.96m | 7:08PM0.64m | 5:36AM1.11m | 8:22PM0.72m | 5:03AM1.22m | 10:05PM0.73m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 471 | 360 | 309 | 51 | 38 | 61 | 131 | 131 | 225 | 200 | 117 | 99 | 97 | 76 | 49 | 475 | 164 | 291 | 280 | 246 | 239 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | SW 15 | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 |
| kJ | 38 | 25 | 24 | 248 | 208 | 158 | 120 | 87 | 85 | 108 | 192 | 188 | 163 | 157 | 157 | 19 | 84 | 129 | 47 | 71 | 78 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSE 9 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 21 | S 9 | SW 21 |
| kJ | 21 | 17 | 16 | 29 | 28 | 23 | 12 | 130 | 127 | 84 | 38 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 109 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 160 | 26 | 212 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | W 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 113 | 94 | 25 | 96 | 47 | 1 | 25 | 47 | 13 | 25 | 47 | 25 | 113 | 47 | 1 | 47 | 47 | 1 | 46 | 47 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Moonlight Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Moonlight Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Moonlight Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Moonlight Beach 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 (Moonlight Beach) 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 Moonlight Beach 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.
Moonlight Beach is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of Encinitas. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Encinitas. Encinitas has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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