Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, S swell with 1,129 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riviera in the next 16 days are 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) 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+) | 11PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I'm looking at the forecast for Riviera, and honestly, it's a tough stretch ahead. For a spot that's usually pretty consistent, the next couple of weeks are looking mostly flat or messy. The water is sitting at a balmy 77°, which is a staggering 9° warmer than normal for this time of year – that's really unusual.
The first bit of half-decent hope shows up on Sunday, September 6. The morning is where it's at. We've got a clean 6ft SSW groundswell with a long 14-second period pushing in about 1506 units of energy (moderate to strong). The wind is offshore from the NE at 6 mph, so the face should be pretty clean. This is for experienced surfers though, as it's solid overhead.
After that, it all goes pear-shaped again. For the rest of the first week and all through the second week, we're looking at onshore and cross-onshore winds with a messy sea state. The swell drops right down to 2ft or 2ft, and the period gets flukey. There's a little blip on September 17 with a 3ft SW groundswell and a very long 21-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore, killing any real quality.
Honestly, for a spot this consistent, a blank run this long is a surprise, but the models say what they say. The one standout is Sunday morning the 6th, but it's for the charger crew only. I'd be checking the forecasts daily for changes, because this can't stay this bad for too long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 175 | 291 | 188 | 399 | 651 | 587 | 559 | 620 | 512 | 674 | 985 | 1129 | 653 | 513 | 972 | 975 | 975 | 828 | 769 | 618 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:20AM0.88m | 1:34PM1.57m | 5:35AM0.88m | 3:06PM1.55m | 6:58AM1.01m | 4:42PM1.62m | 7:24AM1.14m | 5:56PM1.74m | 7:51AM1.26m | 6:54PM1.85m | 8:19AM1.38m | 7:43PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:11PM0.32m | 6:14AM0.73m | 9:57PM0.27m | 6:35AM0.88m | 11:34PM0.14m | 10:07AM0.94m | 00:38AM-0.01m | 11:51AM0.84m | 1:25AM-0.13m | 12:54PM0.67m | 2:04AM-0.19m | 1:43PM0.49m | 2:39AM-0.20m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 149 | 203 | 140 | 399 | 651 | 587 | 559 | 620 | 512 | 674 | 985 | 1129 | 653 | 513 | 972 | 975 | 975 | 828 | 769 | 618 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 10 | W 6 | W 6 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 10 | W 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 6 | W 13 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 5 |
| kJ | 80 | 30 | 37 | 56 | 30 | 37 | 146 | 171 | 289 | 417 | 28 | 11 | 428 | 505 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 80 | 53 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 5 | SW 12 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 20 | SW 10 | W 5 | SW 19 | — | SW 18 | W 6 | W 12 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 175 | 291 | 188 | 58 | 47 | 78 | 78 | 11 | 67 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 58 | — | 50 | 6 | 3 | 129 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — |
| kJ | 23 | — | — | 23 | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 14 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 89 | 0 | 85 | 89 | 0 | 85 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 |
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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