Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 715 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) 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 (Wed 15th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way.
It’s a long, slow start for Riviera. The first week and a half is dominated by tiny, onshore slop. The wind is constantly blowing from the wrong direction, so the waves are messy and small. Not worth a second look. Water temp is about normal for the season, so no surprises there.
Things finally start to wake up a little on Saturday, July 26th. The swell pushes up to 6ft from the SSW, with moderate energy (1901), but it’s got a cross-onshore wind, so it’ll be lumpy and choppy. The afternoon is a bit better with an onshore wind, but still not great.
The one moment that stands out is the morning of Monday, July 27th. We get a clean 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 18 seconds, and the wind is light and onshore. The energy is solid (1295). That long period will give you some proper, well-shaped lines, though at a beach break like Riviera it might be a little too straight and fat. But it’s the cleanest, most promising window in the whole forecast. The swell is a bit much for beginners, but it’s fine for most.
After that, the size drops back into the marginal zone. The afternoon of Monday, July 27th, and Tuesday, July 28th, are still rideable but with a cross-onshore breeze making it less appealing.
So, bottom line: the first ten days are a washout. The only window you should pencil in is the morning of Monday, July 27th. It’s not a perfect day, but it’s the best on offer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 194 | 107 | 96 | 161 | 122 | 122 | 125 | 181 | 103 | 136 | 366 | 379 | 203 | 346 | 487 | 585 | 362 | 367 | 539 | 715 | 474 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | on | on | cross | on | on | glassy | on | on |
High Tide | 9:32PM2.10m | 11:06AM1.29m | 10:19PM2.02m | 11:47AM1.34m | 11:06PM1.86m | 12:29PM1.38m | 11:54PM1.64m | 1:12PM1.41m | 00:44AM1.39m | 1:58PM1.43m | 1:45AM1.14m | 2:48PM1.44m | 3:09AM0.93m | 3:42PM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:49AM-0.44m | 4:12PM0.50m | 5:29AM-0.35m | 5:04PM0.49m | 6:07AM-0.21m | 5:59PM0.50m | 6:44AM-0.03m | 7:01PM0.53m | 7:19AM0.16m | 8:13PM0.55m | 7:54AM0.37m | 9:43PM0.52m | 8:31AM0.55m | ||||||||
 | | |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
 | 8:00 | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 23 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | W 7 | W 9 | WSW 8 | W 8 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 133 | 95 | 83 | 161 | 67 | 76 | 63 | 28 | 103 | 136 | 366 | 379 | 203 | 255 | 295 | 585 | 188 | 367 | 539 | 715 | 474 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | W 5 | SW 16 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | W 7 | W 6 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 15 | SW 16 | S 10 | S 9 | W 6 | S 9 |
| kJ | 194 | 8 | 96 | 73 | 122 | 122 | 107 | 181 | 23 | 12 | 97 | 99 | 125 | 346 | 487 | 21 | 362 | 127 | 60 | 27 | 39 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SW 17 | W 6 | W 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 11 | WSW 6 | SW 13 | W 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | S 15 | W 5 | SSW 20 | W 5 | S 14 | S 12 |
| kJ | 6 | 107 | 10 | 14 | 48 | 47 | 125 | 74 | 83 | 22 | 6 | 44 | 75 | 45 | 43 | 4 | 9 | 75 | 13 | 16 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 7 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 27 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 81 | 149 | 68 | 81 | 81 | 85 | 86 | 81 | 68 | 81 | 86 | 6 | 86 | 89 | 6 | 86 | 89 | 0 | 75 | 139 |
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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