
Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, S swell with 1,196 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 Friday (Jul 31) 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 (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – it’s not the most exciting run we’ve seen. We’ve got a consistent little swell trickling in, but the quality is being held back by conditions that are just a bit off. The first real chance to get wet starts Friday the 24th, but it’s a marginal one.
We kick things off Friday morning, the 24th of July, with a small 2ft SSW swell running at a very long 24 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, but the wind is on it from the SSW at 9 mph, making it cross-on and choppy. The combined energy is moderate (930). Riviera is a beginner-friendly spot, and it’s very consistent, but with these onshore bumps, it’s not going to be pretty. The afternoon cleans up a little as the wind drops to 6 mph, but it’s still cross-on.
Saturday the 25th is a bit better. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW, and the wind swings onshore from the SW at a light 6 mph – that’s clean. The period is still a very long 21 seconds, which is a deep-ocean groundswell. This is prime for a point break or reef, but at a beach, it can sometimes break too straight. Still, the energy is moderate (910), and light offshore wind makes it worth a paddle.
Sunday the 26th through Tuesday the 28th sees a slow build. The swell climbs to 4ft from the SSW, with periods dropping from 19 down to 17 seconds. The wind stays light and onshore, keeping things rideable. The combined energy hits three digits, peaking at 1176 on Monday morning – that’s moderate energy. The water temperature is about average for this time of year. Crowds are possible at Riviera, so keep an eye out.
The standout for the first week is looking like Thursday the 30th. The swell is 4ft from the S, with a 16-second period, and the wind is light and onshore from the SW. The combined energy is strong (1162), and it’s the best score of the early run. It’s not a classic, but it’s the cleanest you’ll get in this stretch.
Friday the 31st of July brings a bigger push – 6ft to 6ft from the S, but the period drops to 14 seconds. The wind picks up to 9 mph, turning cross-on from the W and making it choppy. That’s getting a bit sizeable for beginners, and the chop will ruin the shape. The energy is strong (1421), but it’s messy.
Saturday the 1st of August stays big at 6ft from the SSW, with a 13-second period and light onshore wind. The energy is still strong (1200), but it’s a bit of a wall of whitewater for the average surfer.
From Sunday the 2nd of August onwards, the swell starts to fade fast. By Monday the 3rd, we’re down to 2ft with poor conditions and no real energy. From there, it’s a long gap of flat, poor surf right through to the end of the forecast on the 8th of August. The combined energy drops to double digits, and the scores hit zero. There’s nothing to chase.
So, overall, the best bet is Thursday the 30th of July – cleanest conditions, solid energy, and a decent S swell. The second pick would be Saturday the 25th for the long-period groundswell and clean onshore wind, even if it's small. After that, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 24 | SSW 24 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
563 | 368 | 664 | 799 | 640 | 1100 | 863 | 743 | 719 | 1056 | 893 | 771 | 998 | 1020 | 818 | 612 | 724 | 604 | 451 | 411 | 552 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:16AM0.96m | 6:26PM1.57m | 8:48AM1.02m | 7:09PM1.64m | 9:12AM1.07m | 7:47PM1.70m | 9:35AM1.11m | 8:23PM1.76m | 9:59AM1.15m | 8:55PM1.80m | 10:24AM1.19m | 9:27PM1.80m | 10:49AM1.24m | 9:59PM1.76m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:48AM0.85m | 2:10AM0.05m | 12:47PM0.83m | 2:43AM-0.03m | 1:32PM0.78m | 3:13AM-0.08m | 2:10PM0.72m | 3:42AM-0.12m | 2:46PM0.66m | 4:09AM-0.14m | 3:21PM0.61m | 4:36AM-0.13m | 3:58PM0.58m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 17 |
304 | 220 | 664 | 799 | 640 | 1100 | 863 | 743 | 719 | 1056 | 893 | 771 | 998 | 1020 | 818 | 612 | 724 | 604 | 451 | 411 | 552 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | W 6 | S 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 | S 14 |
61 | 44 | 128 | 80 | 29 | 99 | 34 | 33 | 23 | 74 | 50 | 34 | 72 | 51 | 69 | 54 | 38 | 21 | 218 | 395 | 411 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 24 | SSW 24 | W 6 | W 7 | S 10 | W 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 14 | S 18 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 14 |
563 | 368 | 20 | 31 | 49 | 20 | 29 | 39 | 40 | 21 | 37 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 162 | 45 | 73 | 14 | 15 | 325 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 85 | 3 | 85 | 140 | 0 | 81 | 149 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 30 | 68 | 149 | 68 | 81 | 86 | 6 | 68 | 222 | 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.










