Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 13 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 528 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s 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+) | 8PM (Sun 13th 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, Rusty here, let’s take a look at what’s coming our way for Riviera.
Well, it’s a pretty flat and quiet stretch ahead, I gotta be honest. Over the next two weeks, there’s no real standout surf to get excited about. We’re looking at a long gap with nothing but marginal or poor conditions. The first few days up to the 15th of September are basically a write-off – tiny swell, cross-onshore winds, and not much energy.
From the 16th of September, we start seeing a little more life in the water. The combined swell energy picks up into the moderate range (424), and the wind goes light and onshore or cross-onshore. The swell stays small though, mostly around 3 ft to 3 ft from the SSW to SW, with periods around 16 to 19 seconds. That’s a nice long-period groundswell, but for a beach setup it might be a bit too straight-breaking. Still, with the light winds, it could be worth a paddle if you’re desperate.
The best of a pretty average bunch looks to be the 20th of September, Sunday morning. We’ve got a 3 ft SW swell, period of 18 seconds, and light onshore wind from the SW. The combined energy is solid at 559, and it’s about as clean as it gets for this stretch. It’s a beginner-friendly size, so not too daunting. The water is running much warmer than normal for this time of year at 72° – that’s over two degrees above average, so a real treat on the skin. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so you might have some company.
After that, it fades back into the same pattern of small, choppy, or marginal surf through to the end of the month. Nothing worth circling on the calendar.
So, the pick is Riviera itself on the morning of Sunday the 20th of September. Keep your expectations low, but you might snag a few clean little lines.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 19 | W 10 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 147 | 131 | 188 | 119 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 127 | 114 | 386 | 310 | 366 | 284 | 246 | 242 | 303 | 303 | 234 | 379 | 375 | 375 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:44AM1.70m | 11:13PM1.36m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:15PM0.16m | 4:56AM0.41m | 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 | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 41 | 42 | 188 | 119 | 122 | 79 | 57 | 57 | 88 | 386 | 310 | 366 | 284 | 246 | 242 | 303 | 303 | 184 | 379 | 375 | 375 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | S 9 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 147 | 87 | 85 | 108 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 122 | 31 | 11 | 27 | 64 | 72 | 140 | 83 | 183 | 141 | 31 | 25 | 37 | 37 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 9 | WSW 6 | SSW 9 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 12 | 131 | 129 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 27 | 10 | 28 | 160 | 162 | 156 | 58 | 35 | 234 | 135 | 66 | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 68 | 89 | 68 | 81 | 85 | 32 | 68 | 86 | 6 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 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.
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