Surf Forecasts:
Princeton Breakwater surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with 630 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Princeton Breakwater this week:
The surf forecast for Princeton Breakwater over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Princeton Breakwater in the next 16 days are 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Princeton Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here breaking down Princeton Breakwater. This is a beach and jetty setup, wide open to any swell that rolls in, but the next couple of weeks look slim.
Starting Monday afternoon, August 3rd, we've got some small swell around 4-5ft (1.4m), but the period is a short 10 seconds. Winds are light and blowing onshore from the south-southwest, making for poor conditions. And it doesn't get much better. Tuesday and Wednesday see the swell drop out, with waves falling to 1-2ft (0.4m) by midweek. Winds stay light and onshore or side-onshore, and the water is a balmy 61.5°F (16.4°C) – that's a few degrees warmer than typical for this time of year. Still, the surf is flat to tiny. Thursday and Friday are more of the same small stuff.
Then on Sunday, August 9th, we see a little pulse of energy. The afternoon brings a bump in wave height to around 6ft (1.9m), but with that same short 9-second period, it's going to be weak and lumpy. Winds are light onshore from the southwest. The energy level picks up to 1130, the highest of the whole stretch, but it'll be messy and fat.
From Monday the 10th onward, we're back to small surf. Heights range from about 1.5ft to 4.5ft (0.5m to 1.4m), but the period stays under 10 seconds for the most part. Winds are generally light onshore or side-shore, and the warm water continues. There is a longer period swell (16 seconds) appearing on the 12th, but it's only 1.5ft (0.5m) – a lot of time between waves with almost no power.
So what's the takeaway? Princeton is looking at an extended run of poor to marginal surf. The best shot at something rideable – and I use that term loosely – is Sunday the 9th afternoon, with waist-high, crumbly waves. This is strictly beginner territory. If you're looking for real surf or any kind of power, this stretch isn't for you.
Bottom line: A long stretch of small, weak surf, with one brief pulse of knee-to-waist high, messy waves on the 9th. The water's warm, but the waves are not. Save the gas and wait for a better window.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 373 | 237 | 176 | 122 | 94 | 70 | 70 | 89 | 57 | 59 | 82 | 86 | 181 | 133 | 150 | 147 | 294 | 424 | 565 | 630 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:44PM1.63m | 2:52AM1.22m | 3:20PM1.69m | 4:13AM1.08m | 4:03PM1.75m | 5:57AM1.02m | 4:55PM1.80m | 7:41AM1.08m | 5:54PM1.85m | 8:56AM1.18m | 6:58PM1.92m | 9:49AM1.29m | 8:01PM1.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:03PM0.50m | 8:43AM0.46m | 10:07PM0.37m | 9:27AM0.65m | 11:17PM0.24m | 10:23AM0.82m | 00:29AM0.09m | 11:36AM0.95m | 1:36AM-0.06m | 12:54PM1.00m | 2:36AM-0.20m | 2:04PM0.97m | 3:29AM-0.29m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 373 | 237 | 176 | 122 | 94 | 58 | 42 | 70 | 40 | 39 | 27 | 60 | 47 | 88 | 130 | 104 | 294 | 424 | 445 | 630 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 5 | SW 19 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 42 | 37 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 70 | 70 | 89 | 57 | 59 | 82 | 8 | 181 | 133 | 150 | 147 | 54 | 122 | 107 | 104 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 41 | 40 | 36 | 36 | 35 | 10 | 23 | 15 | 37 | 37 | 50 | 86 | 58 | 42 | 37 | 23 | 169 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 565 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 71 | 6 | 6 | 109 | 6 | 6 | 77 | 0 | 34 | 71 | 39 | 73 | 265 | 34 | 34 | 418 | 34 | 34 | 265 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Mateo | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Princeton Breakwater Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Princeton Breakwater provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Princeton Breakwater can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Princeton Breakwater 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 (Princeton Breakwater) 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 Princeton Breakwater 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.
Princeton Breakwater is 13 km (8 miles) from Millbrae. If you plan a vacation in San Mateo, look for hotels and other accommodation in Millbrae. Millbrae has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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