
Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s 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★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s. 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+) | 2AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| 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 folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Riviera.
Right off the bat, the water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 69°, so that’s a nice little bonus when you’re sitting out there.
Honestly, the next few days aren't looking great. We've got a solid amount of energy in the water – the combined swell energy is nudging 475 to 657 (moderate to strong) – but the wind is the problem. It’s blowing cross-on from the west at 9 mph, and that’s just chopping things up. The surf is small, around 3 ft from the SSW, and with that wind, it’s poor. That’s the story for the 4th and 5th of July.
Come Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th, the wind eases off a bit, turning light and onshore or light cross-on. The swell picks up just a hair, hitting 4 ft on Tuesday morning, with a nice long 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 839 (moderate to strong). The trouble is the wind is still just a bit messy, so it’s only marginal. It’s a tease, because with that period, the waves would have some push.
Wednesday the 8th is about the same story – 4 ft SSW swell, long period, light wind, but still not clean enough to call it good. The energy is strong at 902. It’s frustrating.
The rest of the first week and into the second week is a bit of a write-off. The swell drops, the wind stays cross or onshore, and the surf quality is poor to marginal. The 14th of July sees the swell bottom out at 1 ft to 2 ft. There’s a little bump in energy on the 18th and 19th, with the 19th showing 3 ft from the S with a combined energy of 771 (moderate to strong), but again, the wind is cross-on and the conditions are just marginal.
The Pick: If you're desperate for a paddle, the best of a mediocre bunch is Tuesday morning, the 7th of July. The swell is 4 ft from the SSW, with a 18-second period. That’s a long-period groundswell, so it’ll have some punch. The wind is light and onshore from the SW at 6 mph. It’s not glassy, but it’s the closest we get. The combined energy is strong at 839. It’s just a “marginal” call, so don’t expect perfection. For a beginner, 4 ft is doable, but the long period might make it a bit powerful for the absolute first-timers.
Summary: It’s a lean run. For the next 16 days, there’s no standout day. The wind just won’t play nice, and the swell is inconsistent with the conditions. It’s a bit of a desert, but that’s the coast sometimes. Keep an eye on it, forecasts can change.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
239 | 233 | 390 | 273 | 550 | 326 | 326 | 485 | 777 | 603 | 491 | 667 | 651 | 675 | 499 | 481 | 481 | 362 | 411 | 405 | 344 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on |
High Tide | 11:59PM1.41m | 1:56PM1.23m | 00:49AM1.23m | 2:39PM1.32m | 2:04AM1.04m | 3:27PM1.42m | 3:52AM0.90m | 4:19PM1.54m | 5:43AM0.87m | 5:13PM1.68m | 7:10AM0.93m | 6:07PM1.82m | 8:12AM1.02m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:15AM0.62m | 00:56AM0.05m | 11:25AM0.69m | 1:49AM-0.16m | 12:32PM0.69m | |||||||
— | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | |
8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | 8:01 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
239 | 233 | 390 | 273 | 550 | 326 | 326 | 392 | 777 | 603 | 102 | 667 | 651 | 675 | 499 | 481 | 481 | 362 | 411 | 405 | 344 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 20 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 18 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 6 | W 6 |
212 | 146 | 98 | 99 | 16 | 23 | 259 | 50 | 60 | 44 | 491 | 117 | 65 | 106 | 94 | 94 | 65 | 49 | 50 | 22 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 4 | SSW 9 | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | SW 7 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | S 11 | — | S 9 | S 9 | — | S 10 | S 21 | — | S 19 |
18 | 5 | 8 | 54 | 181 | 180 | 47 | 485 | 2 | 220 | 140 | 118 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 9 | — | 66 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | — | W 4 | W 3 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 85 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 89 | 4 | 81 | 89 | 30 | 68 | 86 | 68 | 86 | 85 | 6 | 85 |
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.











