
Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 2 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 777 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 3 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period with SSW 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 Friday (Jul 03) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riviera in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, I've had a look at the Riviera forecast for the next couple of weeks. Let's be straight up – it's a challenging outlook. The swell window is mainly from the SSW, which isn't the best direction for this spot, and the winds are persistently cross-onshore or onshore. We're not looking at much in the way of clean, surfable conditions.
Right from the get-go on Thursday, July 2nd, it's a bit of a write-off. We've got a 3ft to 3ft SSW swell, but with a moderate cross-onshore breeze from the W to WSW, it's going to be choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate, reading between 378 and 549, but the overall quality is poor. The water temperature is a notable 69°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won't need a thick wetsuit.
The pattern continues through Friday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 4th, with similar 3ft to 3ft SSW swell and persistent cross-onshore winds. The swell period improves a bit through the weekend, with 16 to 18 seconds on Sunday, July 5th, which is a nice long-period groundswell. The energy creeps up to 517 on Sunday morning, but the wind is still a factor. It nudges into "marginal" territory at best, with a score of just 1 out of 10. This swell, with its long period, really needs a point or reef to line up, and Riviera is likely just going to see it close out.
As we roll into the first full week of July, things don't get much better. Monday, July 6th, through Wednesday, July 8th, sees the swell stick around 3ft to 4ft from the SSW, with periods staying long at 16 to 18 seconds. The combined energy peaks on Tuesday, July 7th, hitting a strong 807 to 881. Even with that energy and a light offshore SW wind on the Tuesday afternoon, the surf quality is still only rated as "marginal". You might find a couple of workable waves if you're a seasoned local who knows the bank, but it's not something I'd drive across town for.
From Thursday, July 9th, the swell slowly winds down, dropping from 3ft to 1ft by the 16th of July. The consistency is there, but the quality is just lacking. There's a brief window on Friday, July 17th, with a 2ft, 19-second period SSW swell, which is a very long period. The energy is a low 282, and the wind is light and cross-onshore. It's the best of a bad bunch, but that's not saying much.
Honestly, this is a period where you'd be better off on a kite than a paddle board. The consistent cross-onshore winds and that 3ft-plus groundswell would be a dream for kite surfing. For surfer, it's a long dry spell. There are no standouts here. The whole 16-day window looks pretty average for Riviera. Forecasts can change, but based on what's in front of us, don't get your hopes up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 2 | Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
347 | 438 | 142 | 392 | 397 | 239 | 239 | 239 | 233 | 348 | 273 | 550 | 330 | 261 | 485 | 777 | 603 | 491 | 667 | 651 | 675 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 12:05PM1.10m | 10:45PM1.65m | 12:40PM1.13m | 11:20PM1.55m | 1:17PM1.18m | 11:59PM1.41m | 1:56PM1.23m | 00:49AM1.23m | 2:39PM1.32m | 2:04AM1.04m | 3:27PM1.42m | 3:52AM0.90m | 4:19PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:43PM0.71m | 6:10AM-0.07m | 5:27PM0.72m | 6:42AM0.00m | 6:20PM0.73m | 7:13AM0.11m | 7:27PM0.72m | 7:47AM0.23m | 8:54PM0.66m | 8:25AM0.37m | 10:29PM0.51m | 9:13AM0.51m | 11:52PM0.29m | ||||||||
5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | |
— | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 |
347 | 438 | 142 | 392 | 397 | 239 | 239 | 239 | 233 | 348 | 273 | 550 | 330 | 261 | 392 | 777 | 603 | 491 | 667 | 651 | 675 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SSW 14 | W 4 | S 11 | S 10 | W 4 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | W 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
8 | 81 | 9 | 21 | 19 | 10 | 148 | 212 | 5 | 154 | 116 | 12 | 23 | 259 | 485 | 42 | 43 | 51 | 58 | 42 | 44 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 18 | S 23 | SSW 21 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 9 | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | W 6 | S 7 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | — | — |
23 | 21 | 60 | 11 | 43 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 146 | 8 | 54 | 181 | 180 | 48 | 44 | 1 | 220 | 140 | 118 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 3 | — | W 4 | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 14 | — | 7 | 12 | — | 7 | 4 | — | 3 | 11 | — | — | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 89 | 9 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 287 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 86 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 85 | 89 | 23 |
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.










