
Surf Forecasts:
Ponto surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, S swell with 699 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ponto in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. 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 (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ponto over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cookin' at Ponto.
First thing you gotta know, the water is a balmy 71°F right now, which is 4°F warmer than usual for this time of year. That's a real treat, feels like we're skipping a season.
Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a grind. From Sunday the 12th right through to about the 20th of July, we're looking at a whole lot of small, weak energy. The combined swell energy is hanging around the 250 to 450 mark, which is pretty weak. We're talking waist-high or smaller, mostly from the SSW, with a few decent periods but just not enough push. The wind is offshore for most of that stretch, which is a glimmer of hope, but the waves are just too small and weak to get excited about. It's a real bummer of a run.
The first real sign of life shows up on the 22nd of July. Wednesday afternoon the combined energy jumps to 1306, a big leap into moderate territory. We get a 3ft S swell sneaking in, but it's a light cross-onshore breeze. It's still only marginal, but you can feel the ocean waking up.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. Thursday the 23rd of July is the standout. The morning sees a 7ft S swell with a combined energy of 1647, the strongest in the whole run. The wind is light cross-onshore, keeping it from being perfect, but the size and energy are there. This is a solid swell for the experts, because 7ft is pushing the limits for most, and the period is 14 seconds, so it's got some proper groundswell grunt. Ponto is a river mouth, so it often handles that longer-period energy better than a beach break, but expect it to be a bit straight and fast. The crowds will be around, as it's often busy.
The 24th of July Friday is still solid, with 6ft SSW swell in the morning and a combined energy of 1443, but the wind picks up to a moderate 12 mph cross-onshore, making it choppy. The 23rd is the pick.
After that, it fades again. The 25th and 26th drop back to around 5ft and 2ft, with the energy falling off a cliff. The long period (20 seconds) on the 26th is a tease, but it's too small to do anything with.
So, to sum it up: the first ten days are a write-off. The best bet is to circle Thursday the 23rd of July for a proper, powerful, expert-only session at Ponto. It's not perfect with the cross-onshore, but it's the only real swell in the window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 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) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 10 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
316 | 316 | 277 | 312 | 176 | 213 | 133 | 154 | 194 | 107 | 96 | 161 | 133 | 175 | 126 | 181 | 83 | 183 | 508 | 513 | 699 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:17AM1.52m | 7:59PM2.53m | 10:02AM1.59m | 8:50PM2.58m | 10:44AM1.65m | 9:40PM2.56m | 11:25AM1.71m | 10:28PM2.45m | 12:07PM1.76m | 11:16PM2.26m | 12:48PM1.80m | 00:05AM2.01m | 1:31PM1.84m | 00:58AM1.74m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:34PM1.09m | 3:26AM-0.11m | 2:30PM1.03m | 4:11AM-0.15m | 3:24PM0.98m | 4:54AM-0.11m | 4:18PM0.95m | 5:35AM-0.01m | 5:13PM0.93m | 6:15AM0.16m | 6:12PM0.94m | 6:52AM0.36m | 7:18PM0.95m | ||||||||
5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | |
— | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
316 | 316 | 277 | 312 | 176 | 213 | 133 | 77 | 133 | 48 | 51 | 63 | 133 | 175 | 57 | 38 | 20 | 183 | 508 | 513 | 699 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SW 21 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 13 |
68 | 113 | 62 | 18 | 120 | 133 | 76 | 154 | 194 | 95 | 85 | 161 | 122 | 122 | 107 | 181 | 74 | 136 | 366 | 311 | 44 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SW 21 | S 16 | SW 18 | SW 19 | S 12 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | W 4 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 13 | W 6 | WNW 16 |
2 | 17 | 46 | 12 | 59 | 25 | 58 | 65 | 1 | 107 | 96 | 48 | 48 | 28 | 126 | 74 | 83 | 11 | 44 | 6 | 47 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | W 4 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | — | W 6 | — | — |
— | — | — | 8 | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 54 | 32 | 54 | 53 | 53 | 240 | 53 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 31 | 109 | 109 | 6 | 122 | 122 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










