Surf Forecasts:
Ocean Beach Pier surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 291 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ocean Beach Pier this week:
The surf forecast for Ocean Beach Pier over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ocean Beach Pier in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11AM. 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 (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ocean Beach Pier over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. To be straight with you, it’s a pretty quiet run ahead. We’re not getting any big, clean pulses of swell. The whole period is dominated by small, south-west groundswell, but the quality just isn’t there for any stoke-worthy sessions. The first real chance of something half decent doesn’t show up until Saturday the 29th of August, and even then, it’s marginal.
For the stretch from now, Tuesday the 18th of August, through to late August, we’re looking at tiny waves. Swell heights sit between 1 ft and 3 ft, with a lot of cross-onshore wind adding chop, especially in the afternoons. The combined wave energy is weak, with most readings in the 200s and low 300s range – nothing that’s going to get the heart pumping. The water temp at Ocean Beach Pier (Pacific Coast) is sitting at 71°, which is about 3° warmer than average for this time of year, so it’s a touch warmer than normal, but that’s about the only plus.
The surf breaks here are inconsistent and rarely break well with these small swells. The best bet, if you’re desperate for a paddle, would be Saturday the 29th of August. You’re seeing a slight bump to 3 ft to 3 ft of south-west swell, with a period around 15 to 16 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell with decent energy behind it (the combined energy jumps into the 500s). Winds are from the west and west-northwest, which is offshore for this spot. That would mean clean, glassy conditions for a few hours in the morning. It’s still small, beginner-friendly swell, but at least the wave shape will be better with that long-period energy and no chop.
However, even that isn’t a true standout. It’s just the best of a flat spell. There are no real highlights here. All other days through the end of August and into the start of September show poor surf conditions, with cross-on winds and weak to moderate energy. For expert surfers, there is absolutely nothing worth suiting up for. Beginners might find the 29th and 30th manageable, but the swell is inconsistent and the sand bars might not be cooperating. It’s the kind of setup where a kite surfer might have more fun on the stronger wind days than a paddle surfer.
To sum it up: there’s a 10-day gap of truly unappealing surf, and then a very marginal, promising-but-still-uncertain window at the very end of the month. Keep your expectations low and hope the forecasts change.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 22°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
211 | 144 | 258 | 291 | 291 | 217 | 211 | 211 | 153 | 140 | 114 | 84 | 109 | 142 | 217 | 173 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 137 | 222 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:48PM1.50m | 3:06AM0.90m | 2:42PM1.44m | 4:01PM1.41m | 8:36AM1.01m | 5:25PM1.44m | 8:33AM1.09m | 6:27PM1.53m | 8:44AM1.15m | 7:14PM1.64m | 8:58AM1.21m | 7:51PM1.73m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 9:05PM0.48m | 7:10AM0.76m | 10:58PM0.45m | 00:31AM0.34m | 10:06AM1.00m | 1:23AM0.21m | 12:09PM0.96m | 2:00AM0.11m | 1:04PM0.87m | 2:30AM0.03m | 1:42PM0.76m | 2:56AM-0.02m | |||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | W 7 |
51 | 54 | 68 | 77 | 61 | 217 | 211 | 211 | 153 | 140 | 114 | 84 | 51 | 142 | 217 | 114 | 154 | 233 | 252 | 131 | 89 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
211 | 144 | 258 | 291 | 291 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 9 | 38 | 56 | 32 | 173 | 152 | 155 | 120 | 137 | 222 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 20 | S 8 | W 14 | SW 19 | W 13 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | W 10 | SW 19 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SSW 13 |
83 | 135 | 15 | 16 | 1 | 15 | 57 | 13 | 27 | 82 | 73 | 23 | 109 | 50 | 94 | 32 | 31 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 118 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 25 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 57 | 9 | 0 | 158 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ocean Beach Pier Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ocean Beach Pier provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ocean Beach Pier can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ocean Beach Pier 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 (Ocean Beach Pier) 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 Ocean Beach Pier 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.
Ocean Beach Pier is 10 km (6 miles) from the very large city of Coronado. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Coronado. Coronado has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as cheap car hire and transport links.











