Surf Forecasts:
Ponto surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 12s period, S swell with 9,561 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ponto in the next 16 days are 6.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 20ft (6.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ponto over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, checking in on the local surf scene for this stretch ahead. Alright, I’ll be straight with you—this is a weird one. The next week and a half is looking pretty grim for a proper paddle, with only a very narrow window of something worthwhile. The water is sitting at a balmy 77°, which is a massive 9° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a real oddity, but it won’t help the waves for a while.
We start off with a long, dry spell. From Tuesday the 1st right through to around Friday the 4th, it’s just poor surf conditions. Tiny swell around 2ft to 2ft, mixed with onshore or cross-onshore winds. The combined energy is weak to moderate at best (242 to 829), and the wave comment is either “poor” or “marginal.” Honestly, don’t bother suiting up for those days.
The first real glimmer comes on Saturday the 5th. The morning is still marginal with a 3ft SSW swell and a 16-second period, but the energy is starting to build (1059). Then the afternoon, that’s where it gets interesting. A light rain clears, and we get a glassy, 5ft swell from the south, with a 15-second period. The energy jumps to 1562, and the wind is glass. That’s a standout for clean, fun waves, but it’s solid enough that it’s best for experienced surfers.
Sunday the 6th is the real highlight. The morning brings a solid 8ft south swell, 15-second period, and a clean cross-offshore wind from the NNE. The energy is pumping at 3067. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the best on offer—big, clean, and powerful. But by the afternoon, it’s hitting 10ft, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert territory only, and even then, it might be a handful. Monday the 7th morning still has a 10ft swell, but it’s a bit shorter period (13 seconds), and the wind is still clean cross-off. Still, it’s massive.
After that, the quality drops hard. Monday afternoon the 7th sees a 15ft monster with a 12-second period and a cross-onshore wind—that’s pure chaos. The rest of the week from Tuesday the 8th onward is a write-off. Small swell (1ft to 3ft), cross-onshore winds, and poor surf conditions. The energy drops to below 1000, and the wave comments are all “poor” or “marginal.” There’s a long gap of nothing from the 8th to the 16th.
So, to sum it up: your best bet is the Saturday afternoon the 5th for a clean, glassy session, and the Sunday morning the 6th for the biggest, cleanest swell of the period. After that, it’s a long wait. The setup is a river break, so it’s fairly consistent when the swell is there, but this run is mostly a dud. For the big days, it’s too much for beginners, and even the Sunday morning 8ft will be a challenge for most.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 26°C on Sun night, min 20°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
116 | 114 | 93 | 132 | 175 | 291 | 188 | 399 | 547 | 587 | 566 | 674 | 512 | 1010 | 1847 | 3067 | 3430 | 4223 | 2775 | 5630 | 9561 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 12:06PM2.03m | 00:57AM1.39m | 12:48PM2.02m | 2:40AM1.23m | 1:47PM1.99m | 6:05AM1.25m | 3:13PM1.98m | 7:12AM1.38m | 4:45PM2.04m | 7:40AM1.51m | 6:01PM2.14m | 8:09AM1.64m | 7:00PM2.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:03PM0.65m | 5:58AM0.95m | 8:23PM0.65m | 6:24AM1.10m | 10:06PM0.59m | 7:00AM1.24m | 11:37PM0.46m | 10:01AM1.32m | 00:39AM0.30m | 11:49AM1.23m | 1:27AM0.18m | 12:55PM1.08m | 2:07AM0.11m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 15 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 29 |
Feels °C | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 18 |
112 | 78 | 27 | 24 | 149 | 203 | 140 | 399 | 547 | 587 | 566 | 674 | 501 | 1010 | 1847 | 3067 | 3430 | 4223 | 2775 | 3594 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSE 15 | S 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
116 | 114 | 46 | 106 | 80 | 35 | 37 | 56 | 30 | 54 | 240 | 435 | 512 | 512 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
14 | 80 | 93 | 132 | 175 | 291 | 188 | 59 | 87 | 78 | 23 | 8 | 46 | 40 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | S 12 |
— | 21 | — | — | 22 | — | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5630 | 9561 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 54 | 0 | 53 | 54 | 0 | 53 | 54 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 54 | 6 |
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.











