Surf Forecasts:
Moonlight Beach surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 691 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2PM. 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+) | 5AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Moonlight Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into what’s on the menu for Moonlight Beach.
Alright, I won’t sugarcoat it – this stretch of sand is looking pretty quiet for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long run of days with surf that’s just not doing the job, so don’t expect much action. The water temp is a standout though, sitting at a balmy 73°, which is a full 5° warmer than average for this time of year – that’s very unusual, so at least the paddle out won’t be a shock.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Tuesday the 25th. That morning, we see a pulse of swell from the SSE around 6 ft with a combined wave energy of 2009 (strong), but the wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. This swell is a solid size and it’s got some push, but with a 16-second period it’s a true groundswell – long gaps between sets, which can make paddling out easier, but at a beach break like Moonlight, those long-period swells can straighten out. Honestly, the setup feels more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on this day.
The following morning on Wednesday the 26th is probably your best bet if you’re determined. Swell from the S at 7 ft, combined energy of 1738 (strong), period of 14 seconds. That’s a big, powerful wave – over 7 ft so it’s really for experienced surfers only. The wind is light offshore from the WSW, so it’ll be a bit cleaner than the days before. Friday the 28th afternoon sees another pulse from the SSW at 5 ft with energy at 1001 (moderate) and a 14-second period, but again, that cross-onshore breeze won't help.
So here’s the bottom line: the first week and a half is a write-off with poor conditions and marginal surf. The standout window is Tuesday the 25th through Thursday the 27th of August, with bigger swell pushing through, but it’s marred by onshore or cross-onshore wind. The best wave quality will be Wednesday morning the 26th with that 7 ft SSW swell and light offshore wind – but keep your expectations in check, because the consistency is poor and crowds are sometimes an issue here. For a beach break with this much energy, the shape isn’t guaranteed. It’s a waiting game, and forecasts can change, but right now, we’re not looking at a classic run.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 417 | 683 | 666 | 493 | 443 | 367 | 367 | 264 | 316 | 232 | 243 | 339 | 382 | 387 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 170 | 156 | 137 | 98 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:52AM1.96m | 11:45PM1.85m | 12:25PM1.96m | 00:34AM1.60m | 1:01PM1.93m | 1:35AM1.37m | 1:41PM1.88m | 3:23AM1.21m | 2:33PM1.82m | 3:47PM1.79m | 8:25AM1.36m | 5:06PM1.83m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:51PM0.72m | 5:58AM0.56m | 6:46PM0.75m | 6:24AM0.77m | 7:51PM0.79m | 6:46AM0.96m | 9:15PM0.81m | 7:01AM1.12m | 10:59PM0.76m | 00:19AM0.65m | 10:08AM1.35m | 1:10AM0.54m | |||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 11 |
| kJ | 417 | 683 | 666 | 493 | 443 | 367 | 367 | 264 | 89 | 79 | 62 | 339 | 382 | 387 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 170 | 156 | 137 | 85 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 10 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 191 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 50 | 47 | 49 | 316 | 232 | 243 | 71 | 66 | 48 | 25 | 19 | 29 | 31 | 18 | 54 | 98 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 13 | W 10 | W 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 20 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 19 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 12 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 7 | 114 | 98 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 50 | 56 | 32 | 26 | 81 | 51 | 47 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 6 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — |
| kJ | 59 | 7 | 16 | 14 | 28 | 57 | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 47 | 47 | 46 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 46 | 47 | 1 | 47 | 47 | 1 | 47 | 47 | 1 | 47 | 46 | 1 | 46 | 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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