Surf Forecasts:
Ponto surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 17) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m 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 Ponto in the next 16 days are 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. 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+) | 8AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ponto over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a hard look at what we've got on the table for our local stretch.
First, the water temp is sitting at a balmy 74°F – a full 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual for us and honestly, a rare treat if you’re not wearing a wetsuit out there.
Here’s the trouble though: There’s no good surf on the radar for a long stretch. The whole run from now through to the 28th of August is a write-off. We're looking at weak (209 to 466) combined swell energy, mostly aimed from the SSW with some long periods up around 15 to 17 seconds. But the quality is just not there. It’s labelled as “poor surf conditions” day after day, with a lot of onshore and cross-onshore wind spoiling the shape. For a break like Ponto, a river mouth setup, that long-period groundswell can make things break too straight anyway. It’s just not worth paddling out for knee-high chop.
Right around the 24th and 25th of August, things start to get a little *marginal* — we’re talking about 2ft of swell, and the energy picks up a little (349 to 409), but it’s still not clean enough to get excited about.
The one faint glimmer in this whole 16-day window shows up on Saturday, 29th of August. We get a bit of a lift: head-high 3ft waves from the SSW with a long period of 17 seconds, pushing the combined energy up to 627 — you’ll feel that water moving. The wind is light from the SW, giving us a light cross-onshore that should keep the surface fairly smooth. It’s still a *marginal* call, and the long period means the sets will be spread out, but by far this is the pick of a very average bunch. For a beginner spot like Ponto, anything pushing that size is right at the top of their comfort zone.
Crowds are often a factor at Ponto, so even on a so-so day, expect company.
Other than that, the weekend of the 30th and 31st slips back into that weak, onshore chop.
Bottom line: this is a long, flat spell. You’ve got a week and a half of nothing, then a slim chance on the 29th. It’s not a total blank — forecasts can change — but right now, you’re better off enjoying that warm water from the beach with a cold drink.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 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 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 443 | 367 | 330 | 264 | 257 | 232 | 243 | 272 | 377 | 387 | 249 | 236 | 236 | 226 | 156 | 99 | 98 | 92 | 121 | 222 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 8:27AM1.43m | 6:08PM1.91m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:57AM1.32m | 1:47AM0.43m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 443 | 367 | 330 | 264 | 257 | 56 | 42 | 272 | 377 | 387 | 249 | 236 | 236 | 226 | 156 | 99 | 98 | 92 | 121 | 222 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 18 | W 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 19 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | W 6 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | W 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 19 | 24 | 63 | 47 | 232 | 243 | 26 | 38 | 26 | 13 | 57 | 9 | 5 | 81 | 51 | 5 | 81 | 57 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | SW 20 | W 14 | SW 18 | W 13 | WSW 19 | S 10 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 114 | 98 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 35 | 8 | 5 | 49 | 49 | 5 | 57 | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — |
| kJ | 13 | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | 12 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 53 | 53 | 54 | 0 | 53 | 54 | 0 | 53 | 54 | 6 | 54 | 54 | 0 | 54 | 103 | 0 | 54 | 53 | 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.
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