Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 932 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Riviera this week:
The surf forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riviera in the next 16 days are 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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+) | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's ahead.
Honestly, for the next couple of weeks, we're not looking at a classic run. The surf at Riviera is going to be small and a bit messy for most of it, with a few mornings that might just be worth a paddle if you're desperate for a quick fix. The setup is better for a beginner, and it's a very consistent break.
We kick off Tuesday the 25th of August. It's tiny, with a 2ft SW swell at a very long 16-second period. The light onshore wind will keep it bumpy. The combined energy is weak (400). Wednesday the 26th pushes up to a `5ft` S swell, but the cross-onshore wind at 9 mph blows it out, making it choppy and poor. Not worth getting excited about.
Thursday morning the 27th is probably the best on offer across this whole stretch. The swell drops back to `4ft` from the south, but we get that onshore wind shifting to just a light breeze. Combined energy is moderate (694). The period is still a solid 12 seconds. It's not going to be epic, but it's the cleanest window we've got. For a beginner-friendly spot like this, that's your chance for a few fun, clean rides.
After that, it slips back into mediocrity. Friday the 28th sees a pulse of long-period SSW energy (17-19 secs) but it's cross-onshore and the size is under 3ft. The weekend stays marginal, with a consistent cross-onshore breeze and waves hovering around 3ft. The combined energy is moderate throughout, hitting a peak of 803 on Saturday afternoon, but it's never clean enough.
The whole of the following week, from the 31st of August onward, is poor or marginal at best. The swell stays under 3ft, the wind is a constant cross or cross-onshore, and the scores are barely registering. There are several days in a row there with no real recommendation. The second week into September looks flat and choppy, with only fleeting glimpses of small, bumpy 4ft waves around the 4th and 5th of September, which just aren't enough to overcome the onshore wind.
So to wrap it up, we've got a small, long-period swell that's fighting a persistent onshore wind pattern. The best you can hope for is a clean, small wave on Thursday morning the 27th of August. The rest is for the beginners trying to get a feel for things.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 264 | 229 | 599 | 485 | 461 | 272 | 339 | 284 | 270 | 351 | 325 | 932 | 587 | 627 | 706 | 537 | 400 | 389 | 260 | 273 | 287 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:56AM1.23m | 8:05PM1.75m | 9:16AM1.30m | 8:37PM1.78m | 9:38AM1.37m | 9:09PM1.77m | 10:01AM1.45m | 9:43PM1.71m | 10:26AM1.52m | 10:18PM1.61m | 10:52AM1.58m | 10:57PM1.45m | 11:20AM1.62m | 11:42PM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:01PM0.63m | 3:06AM-0.06m | 2:35PM0.54m | 3:31AM-0.06m | 3:09PM0.45m | 3:55AM-0.04m | 3:45PM0.38m | 4:19AM0.02m | 4:23PM0.33m | 4:43AM0.13m | 5:04PM0.29m | 5:06AM0.26m | 5:52PM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 17 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 264 | 229 | 599 | 485 | 461 | 272 | 339 | 284 | 154 | 351 | 74 | 932 | 587 | 627 | 706 | 537 | 400 | 389 | 260 | 273 | 287 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | S 9 | SW 14 | W 10 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | W 6 |
| kJ | 126 | 208 | 203 | 302 | 196 | 171 | 132 | 132 | 270 | 106 | 147 | 73 | 79 | 57 | 73 | 88 | 62 | 58 | 253 | 180 | 36 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSE 12 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 13 | W 12 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | S 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | W 7 | W 6 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 10 | 47 | 5 | 20 | 11 | 85 | 72 | 81 | 116 | 85 | 325 | 34 | 20 | 36 | 14 | 35 | 51 | 46 | 42 | 38 | 113 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 12 | 0 | 68 | 89 | 68 | 85 | 126 | 0 | 71 | 9 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 28 | 80 | 89 | 0 | 85 | 89 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Riviera Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Riviera provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Riviera can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Riviera 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 (Riviera) 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 Riviera 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.
Riviera is 2 km (1 miles) from San Clemente. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Clemente. San Clemente has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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