Surf Forecasts:
Riviera surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 932 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riviera in the next 16 days are 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riviera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, lookin’ at the same stretch of coast but in feet and miles per hour. Let’s get into it.
First few days are small. August 26th, Riviera has a 4ft south swell, 12-second period, with 808 combined energy (moderate). Wind is a light 6 mph onshore, so it’s bumpy. Not worth gettin’ wet for. Thursday the 27th is even smaller, 4ft and 3ft, all onshore or cross-onshore. Energy drops to 444. Friday through Sunday, the swell runs from 3ft to 4ft, with long periods up to 17 seconds, but the wind is onshore. The water temp is about normal for the season, no surprises.
The best look comes on Tuesday, September 1st. That’s when we get a 4ft south swell, 12-second period, with light onshore wind at 6 mph. Combined energy is 570 (moderate). For a beginner spot like Riviera, that’s the cleanest window of the whole run. Crowds are *sometimes* there, but it’s a good little learner wave.
The second week starts with a bit more size. September 2nd brings 5ft to 5ft from the SSW, 12 to 13 seconds, but the wind is a cross-onshore 9 mph. Energy hits 930 (strong). Thursday the 3rd peaks at 6ft, 12-second period, 1017 energy (strong), but still with that cross-onshore breeze. That’s gonna be choppy, not great for a beach break. Beginners should stay out.
From Friday September 4th, it falls apart. Wind picks up to 15 mph, swell drops to 3ft, and energy fades. The 8th shows a 2ft swell from the SW with a 19-second period—that’s a very long period groundswell—but only 585 energy (moderate). That’s gonna break straight and fat. The 9th and 10th are small, around 3ft, with light cross-onshore winds.
Best bet is Tuesday, September 1st at Riviera for a clean 4ft south swell. After that, the swell gets bigger but the wind ruins it. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a bust.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 485 | 461 | 272 | 333 | 231 | 270 | 351 | 325 | 932 | 700 | 733 | 706 | 537 | 400 | 321 | 257 | 158 | 228 | 441 | 565 | 672 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:16AM1.30m | 8:37PM1.78m | 9:38AM1.37m | 9:09PM1.77m | 10:01AM1.45m | 9:43PM1.71m | 10:26AM1.52m | 10:18PM1.61m | 10:52AM1.58m | 10:57PM1.45m | 11:20AM1.62m | 11:42PM1.26m | 11:53AM1.63m | 00:41AM1.06m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:35PM0.54m | 3:31AM-0.06m | 3:09PM0.45m | 3:55AM-0.04m | 3:45PM0.38m | 4:19AM0.02m | 4:23PM0.33m | 4:43AM0.13m | 5:04PM0.29m | 5:06AM0.26m | 5:52PM0.28m | 5:29AM0.41m | 6:51PM0.30m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 17 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 7 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 485 | 461 | 272 | 333 | 231 | 154 | 351 | 54 | 932 | 700 | 733 | 706 | 537 | 400 | 80 | 257 | 148 | 228 | 441 | 565 | 672 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | S 9 | SW 14 | S 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SSW 14 | W 7 | SSW 13 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 302 | 196 | 171 | 169 | 132 | 270 | 79 | 147 | 34 | 64 | 53 | 141 | 117 | 87 | 321 | 43 | 158 | 180 | 67 | 80 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 13 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 14 | W 9 | SSW 19 | W 7 | S 8 | W 9 | S 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 13 | S 16 | SSW 13 | W 5 | WNW 10 | — |
| kJ | 20 | 11 | 55 | 142 | 81 | 116 | 39 | 325 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 10 | 35 | 55 | 47 | 168 | 20 | 114 | 4 | 19 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 89 | 12 | 81 | 68 | 6 | 89 | 89 | 1 | 85 | 89 | 6 | 85 | 89 | 6 | 85 | 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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