Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with 522 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riviera in the next 16 days are 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 2PM. 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 (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. It’s Rusty here.
Right off the bat, it’s gonna be a flat start. There’s no real surf to get excited about for the first few days. The swell is tiny and the wind is messy. We’re looking at a real slow grind before anything even gets close to rideable.
So, Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th? Forget it. The swell is barely 1ft to 2ft with a cross-on breeze, and the combined energy is weak (241 to 306). The surf is just too poor.
The first hint of something comes Wednesday the 16th. Swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW, period is a nice long 18 seconds – that’s real groundswell energy. Combined energy hits moderate (417) by the morning. Wind is light and onshore, so it’s not clean, but there’s potential. Still, it’s marginal at best, only rated as a 1 out of 10.
Thursday the 17th stays similar. Swell holds at 3ft SSW, period a touch shorter at 16 seconds, but the energy jumps to 547 in the morning. Again, light onshore wind keeps it from being a standout. It’s still in the marginal category.
Friday the 18th through to Monday the 21st sees the swell hover between 2ft and 3ft, mostly from the SW. The period stays long, 17-19 seconds, and the energy climbs, hitting 655 by Sunday the 20th afternoon. That’s solid moderate energy. But the wind is a problem – cross-on or light onshore. The surf is just not clean. It’s frustrating.
The best chance in this whole outlook is Riviera, and it’s not until Tuesday the 29th. On that Tuesday morning, we’ve got 2ft of SW swell with a period of 18 seconds, combined energy of 425. The wind is light and onshore, but at least it’s not cross-on. The water temperature is a very unusual 73°F, a massive 6°F warmer than normal – that’s a real treat. This is the most promising session of the whole forecast. It’s still only marginal, but it’s the best we’ve got.
Everything else is a write-off. The second week is a mix of tiny swell and poor wind. The surf stays below 3ft, and the period drops to 13-14 seconds by the end. Energy fades below 300. It’s a long stretch of nothing.
So, if you’re keen, keep an eye on that Tuesday the 29th. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s the only real chance for a wave. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 108 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 127 | 114 | 390 | 347 | 366 | 314 | 246 | 305 | 303 | 303 | 234 | 379 | 375 | 375 | 455 | 522 | 499 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 11:11AM1.66m | 11:59PM1.17m | 11:38AM1.58m | 00:58AM0.99m | 12:07PM1.48m | 2:45AM0.87m | 12:46PM1.38m | 2:20PM1.29m | 7:59AM1.06m | 4:25PM1.30m | 7:35AM1.13m | 5:38PM1.39m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:59PM0.22m | 5:16AM0.57m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:28AM0.72m | 8:00PM0.38m | 5:12AM0.84m | 9:44PM0.41m | 11:29PM0.35m | 9:58AM1.05m | 00:26AM0.26m | 11:54AM0.95m | 1:02AM0.17m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 |
| kJ | 89 | 94 | 59 | 57 | 57 | 88 | 390 | 347 | 366 | 314 | 246 | 305 | 183 | 303 | 31 | 379 | 375 | 375 | 455 | 522 | 69 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | WSW 6 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 108 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 122 | 32 | 12 | 10 | 65 | 73 | 94 | 54 | 303 | 141 | 139 | 137 | 23 | 25 | 44 | 58 | 499 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 19 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 44 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 15 | 14 | 26 | 160 | 162 | 156 | 9 | 15 | 234 | 24 | 96 | 85 | 56 | 75 | 51 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 68 | 32 | 68 | 86 | 27 | 85 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 89 | 6 |
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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