Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 807 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
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 cooking for the Riviera region over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it's a bit of a flat spell to start. The swell is just too weak and the wind is all over the shop. We're looking at a run of poor to marginal conditions from Wednesday the 12th right through until late in the month. The swell energy is mostly weak, barely cracking 300, and the wind is cross-on or onshore, keeping things messy. There's a long period groundswell from the SSW, up to 18 seconds, but it's just not got enough size to make anything of it. You'd be better off finding something else to do for a while.
Now, hold on, because things look like they might turn around right at the end of the 16-day window. The standout in this whole forecast is Tuesday afternoon, August 25th. We've got a light cross-offshore breeze from the NW, cleaning things right up at Riviera. The swell is a tiny 2ft from the SW, but it's clean. The water is currently much warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at a balmy 75°.
Then, the real gem looks to be Wednesday afternoon, August 26th. The forecast is calling for glassy conditions with a WSW wind of just 3 mph. The swell picks up a touch to 3ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 516. For a spot that’s very consistent and beginner-friendly, this is about as good as it gets for a small, clean wave. The wind will be perfect, making for some real fun, clean lines. Just keep in mind it can get a bit of a crowd here sometimes.
After that, Thursday the 27th looks like it gets a bit messy again with a choppy cross-onshore. So, for the next two weeks, keep your eyes on Tuesday the 25th and especially Wednesday the 26th of August. That Wednesday afternoon window looks like the best on offer by a long shot. The rest is pretty much a write-off.
Stay patient, keep an eye on the charts, and I'll catch you out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 306 | 255 | 358 | 280 | 302 | 404 | 807 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 499 | 443 | 367 | 367 | 264 | 257 | 232 | 243 | 272 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 9:22PM2.03m | 10:28AM1.47m | 10:06PM1.92m | 11:02AM1.53m | 10:48PM1.74m | 11:37AM1.55m | 11:31PM1.52m | 12:11PM1.55m | 00:18AM1.28m | 12:47PM1.51m | 1:15AM1.05m | 1:28PM1.45m | 2:46AM0.87m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:19AM-0.29m | 4:04PM0.34m | 4:52AM-0.17m | 4:50PM0.32m | 5:23AM-0.01m | 5:38PM0.33m | 5:51AM0.17m | 6:30PM0.37m | 6:17AM0.37m | 7:30PM0.43m | 6:40AM0.56m | 8:50PM0.46m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 306 | 255 | 358 | 280 | 255 | 404 | 807 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 499 | 443 | 367 | 367 | 264 | 73 | 94 | 86 | 272 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | S 11 | W 5 | W 6 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | W 9 |
| kJ | 42 | 62 | 61 | 53 | 302 | 214 | 78 | 191 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 8 | 41 | 37 | 39 | 257 | 232 | 243 | 74 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | W 11 | W 5 | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 27 | 23 | 44 | 149 | 37 | 66 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 20 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 63 | 2 | 114 | 98 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 81 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 0 | 86 | 86 | 68 |
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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