Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with 3,294 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riviera in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s happening at Riviera over the next couple of weeks.
Right from the start, it’s a bit of a slow cooker. The first few days – from Monday the 31st of August through Friday the 4th of September – are mostly a bust. Swell is small, under 3ft, and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, making the surface choppy. The combined energy is moderate, around 400 to 875, but the “poor surf conditions” label says it all. Nothing worth paddling out for.
Things start to perk up a little on Saturday the 5th of September. Swell builds to 4ft from the S with a 15-second period – that’s a proper groundswell. Wind is light cross-onshore, so it’s not clean, but combined energy hits 1264 (moderate wave energy), and the score is a 3 – the best we’ve seen so far. Still marginal.
The real standout is Sunday the 6th of September in the afternoon. That’s when the pieces come together. Swell is 7ft from the S, period of 15 seconds – long-period groundswell. The wind swings offshore from the NE at 15 km/h, cleaning it right up. Combined energy is a strong 2059. This is the best window, with “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” At 7ft, it’s expert territory, and with that long period, Riviera – an exposed beach break – might see the swell running a bit straight. But with glassy winds and that much juice? It’s a goer.
Monday the 7th of September morning has a bigger swell – 10ft from the S – but the wind is cross-offshore from the E, and the report says the swell is too big for this break. That’s more of a kite-surfing day. The afternoon gets lumpy with a fresh cross-shore.
From Tuesday the 8th of September onward, it’s a slow fade. Swell drops, winds turn onshore or cross-onshore, and combined energy sinks. By the second week, we’re seeing tiny 1ft to 2ft swells with energy under 200. The “poor surf conditions” tag sticks around. There’s a big gap from the 8th through the 15th of September with no real recommendations.
So, to keep it short: the only true standout is Sunday afternoon, the 6th of September. It’s a short, clean window with offshore wind and a solid groundswell. After that, the forecast goes flat. Don’t lose hope, though – it usually doesn’t stay this quiet for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 15 | S 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 253 | 184 | 156 | 116 | 114 | 93 | 216 | 149 | 291 | 149 | 455 | 651 | 594 | 726 | 620 | 512 | 711 | 1030 | 1447 | 2027 | 2445 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:20AM1.62m | 11:42PM1.26m | 11:53AM1.63m | 00:41AM1.06m | 12:34PM1.62m | 2:20AM0.88m | 1:34PM1.57m | 5:35AM0.88m | 3:06PM1.55m | 6:58AM1.01m | 4:42PM1.62m | 7:24AM1.14m | 5:56PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:52PM0.28m | 5:29AM0.41m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:52AM0.58m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 12 | 16 |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | W 5 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 15 | S 15 |
| kJ | 253 | 184 | 119 | 112 | 78 | 21 | 107 | 149 | 50 | 51 | 455 | 651 | 594 | 726 | 620 | 512 | 711 | 1030 | 1447 | 2027 | 2445 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SW 16 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | SSE 14 | S 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 206 | 158 | 156 | 116 | 114 | 46 | 216 | 82 | 203 | 140 | 55 | 33 | 58 | 33 | 269 | 293 | 506 | 451 | 206 | 32 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 19 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | S 15 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 39 | 35 | 12 | 15 | 80 | 93 | 24 | 129 | 291 | 149 | 92 | 36 | 50 | 116 | 11 | 8 | 39 | 40 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 25 | — | — | 23 | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 89 | 0 | 86 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 85 | 234 | 6 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 86 | 89 | 0 | 73 | 0 | 3 |
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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