Surf Forecasts:
Ponto surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 867 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ponto this week:
The surf forecast for Ponto over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ponto in the next 16 days are 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. 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+) | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ponto over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at this one spot.
Look, I gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days are a bit of a grind. We’ve got a river mouth setup that’s exposed to the swell, but it’s a real mixed bag. The break is fairly consistent and best for beginners, but don’t get your hopes up for anything too special. The crowds can be an issue here, so be prepared to share the water. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing crazy.
Starting Monday the 24th of August, the surf is tiny. We’re looking at 2ft of swell from the SW with a very long period of 18 seconds. The combined swell energy is moderate (451), but it’s all for nothing really – it’s just poor surf conditions. Onshore wind spoils it. Tuesday the 25th is much the same: 2ft from the SW, long periods, but still only marginal. The energy is still moderate (400), but the quality just isn’t there.
Wednesday the 26th sees the swell bump up to 4ft from the S, though the period drops to 12 seconds. Energy gets stronger (737), but the wind goes cross-onshore. It’s choppy and messy. That theme continues through Thursday the 27th – 4ft from the S, period dropping to 10 seconds, energy moderate (409), but still poor.
Now, Friday the 28th offers a small glimmer. The swell drops back to 3ft from the SSW, but the period jumps back to a very long 17 seconds. The wind swings offshore, light breeze. The energy is moderate (527), and the conditions are unknown, which usually means clean. This is a *standout* for the whole run – it’s the cleanest window we’ve got. The swell is small and long-period, which at a river mouth can mean better shape and easy paddling, but it might not offer much push for more advanced surfers. Perfect for a beginner to get a few long, clean waves if the tide works out. The marginal call is still a concern, but the offshore wind is a big win.
Saturday the 29th holds some promise too, with 3 to 4ft from the SSW, 16-17 second periods, and offshore light breezes. Energy is strong (871) by the afternoon. Again, clean, but still only a marginal call.
From Sunday the 30th onwards, it gets frustrating. The wind turns cross-onshore again, and the waves hover around 3 to 4ft with periods dropping to 14-15 seconds. Energy stays moderate to strong (696), but the quality is poor. There’s a long stretch of nothing much. The first week of September (Monday 31st to Sunday 6th) is one marginal day after another – small swell, mostly cross-onshore wind, and mediocre conditions. The best of this sorry lot is on Friday the 4th of September, with 4ft from the SSW at a very long 17 seconds in the afternoon, and offshore wind. The energy is strong (910), and it might be clean, but it’s still only a marginal forecast.
Then, look ahead to Tuesday the 8th of September, over two weeks away. We’ve got a pulse of 8ft from the SSW, but the period is a short 8 seconds. The energy jumps to very strong (1046). This is a serious amount of water moving around, but that short period means it’ll be lumpy and disorganised. The wind is cross-onshore and it’s going to be choppy. At 8ft, this is only for experts, and to be honest, with the cross-onshore wind and short period, it looks more like a day for kite surfing than a clean paddle session. It’s a long-range call, so don’t bank on it.
Overall, the standout is Friday the 28th of August morning – small, clean, offshore, and a very long period. Don’t expect much else. The best bet is to pick that day if you’re a beginner wanting a clean, small wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
273 | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 208 | 311 | 501 | 461 | 373 | 257 | 252 | 204 | 351 | 246 | 742 | 594 | 733 | 706 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:58AM1.55m | 7:35PM2.10m | 9:16AM1.61m | 8:10PM2.17m | 9:35AM1.68m | 8:44PM2.20m | 9:55AM1.75m | 9:18PM2.17m | 10:16AM1.83m | 9:53PM2.09m | 10:39AM1.90m | 10:30PM1.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:18AM0.34m | 1:31PM1.14m | 2:46AM0.27m | 2:06PM1.04m | 3:11AM0.24m | 2:40PM0.94m | 3:36AM0.25m | 3:15PM0.84m | 4:00AM0.29m | 3:51PM0.76m | 4:23AM0.38m | 4:30PM0.69m | 4:46AM0.50m | ||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
273 | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 173 | 311 | 501 | 461 | 373 | 257 | 252 | 202 | 136 | 103 | 742 | 594 | 733 | 706 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | S 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
199 | 89 | 85 | 126 | 126 | 208 | 203 | 203 | 198 | 171 | 132 | 130 | 204 | 351 | 246 | 71 | 101 | 81 | 127 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | S 15 | S 14 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 8 | SW 14 | WNW 11 | SW 14 | W 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 |
11 | 110 | 66 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 33 | 20 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 114 | 40 | 147 | 51 | 67 | 57 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 109 | 240 | 0 | 53 | 47 | 0 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 101 | 0 | 53 | 54 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ponto Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ponto provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ponto can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ponto 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 (Ponto) 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 Ponto 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.
Ponto is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Carlsbad. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Carlsbad. Carlsbad has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











