Surf Forecasts:
Moonlight Beach surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 921 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. 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+) | 2AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Moonlight Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for Moonlight Beach.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next ten days or so are looking pretty flat and quiet. The water’s sitting at a balmy 75°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice bonus if you just want a dip, but for waves? Slim pickings. We’ve got a consistent southwest swell direction, but the energy is weak, with combined swell energy readings mostly in the 300s to 400s (moderate range), and heights are barely scraping 2ft to 3ft. The wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf quality is poor – just small, choppy, and messy. No real standouts in that first stretch.
There’s a long gap of poor conditions from Wednesday 12th August all the way through to the morning of Wednesday 26th August. You’ll see a few marginal windows on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th morning, with a bit of a bump in energy (up to 734 on the 14th afternoon), but still just 2ft to 3ft of onshore slop. Not worth paddling out for.
Now, here’s where it gets a little more interesting. On Thursday 27th August, we see a glimmer of hope. The morning brings a 4ft S swell with a 14-second period, combined energy jumps to 1230 (strong energy), and it’s a light cross-onshore breeze – still messy. But the real standout is Thursday afternoon: glassy conditions, a light NNW wind, 4ft S swell, and a combined energy of 945 (still strong). That’s the best window in the whole 16-day run. The glassy wind will clean it up, and the swell direction (S) is a good match for the optimum SW direction. It’s a small, clean wave – perfect for a longboard or a fun board. Just keep in mind, this is a long-range call, so it’s promising but not locked in.
For the rest of the second week, we’re back to small, onshore dribble. Moonlight Beach is a beginner break, and it’s inconsistent, so it can go quiet for long stretches. It’s not the kind of place that fires often, but when that Thursday afternoon glass-off hits, it’ll be worth a look. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so if it cleans up, expect a few locals out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 230 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 353 | 276 | 292 | 404 | 921 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 544 | 437 | 437 | 367 | 362 | 316 | 232 | 243 | 339 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:13AM1.79m | 9:31PM2.43m | 10:46AM1.87m | 10:16PM2.30m | 11:19AM1.93m | 11:00PM2.09m | 11:52AM1.96m | 11:45PM1.85m | 12:25PM1.96m | 00:34AM1.60m | 1:01PM1.93m | 1:35AM1.37m | 1:41PM1.88m | 3:23AM1.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:23PM0.82m | 4:24AM0.03m | 4:11PM0.75m | 4:58AM0.17m | 5:00PM0.72m | 5:29AM0.35m | 5:51PM0.72m | 5:58AM0.56m | 6:46PM0.75m | 6:24AM0.77m | 7:51PM0.79m | 6:46AM0.96m | 9:15PM0.81m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 230 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 353 | 276 | 255 | 404 | 921 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 544 | 437 | 437 | 367 | 362 | 76 | 49 | 51 | 60 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 14 | S 11 | W 5 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 47 | 61 | 34 | 60 | 59 | 52 | 292 | 251 | 44 | 191 | 37 | 27 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 316 | 232 | 243 | 339 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | S 11 | SSW 11 | W 11 | W 5 | W 11 | S 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 50 | 47 | 27 | 23 | 44 | 149 | 36 | 68 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 114 | 114 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WNW 10 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | WNW 7 | W 4 | — | W 5 | — | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 22 | 19 | — | — | 12 | — | — | 11 | 8 | — | 13 | — | 23 | 20 | 27 | 31 | 39 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 47 | 47 | 1 | 47 | 47 | 5 | 47 | 47 | 3 | 46 | 46 | 7 | 46 | 47 | 31 | 46 | 47 | 44 | 190 | 46 | 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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