
Surf Forecasts:
Rockpile surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 951 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rockpile this week:
The surf forecast for Rockpile over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockpile in the next 16 days are 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11AM. 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+) | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockpile over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for the next couple of weeks. We’ve only got one spot on the map for this region, so we’re focused on Rockpile.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest—the first few days are a bit of a bust. Thursday the 23rd kicks off with a 4ft SSW swell, period a solid 13 seconds, but the wind is cross-on, and the water is sitting at a very unusual 74°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (516), but it’s just not clean enough to get excited about.
Friday the 24th is a tease. The swell drops to 2ft, but here’s the weird bit—the period jumps to a massive 24 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, packing a lot of energy (939). At a reef break like Rockpile, that could actually set up some nice, walled-up lines. The wind is light and onshore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s not trashed either. Still, the forecast calls it marginal, so keep your expectations in check.
The weekend (Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th) is more of the same story: small swell (3ft to 3ft) with a long period, but the wind is just a bit onshore or cross-on. It’s rideable, but you’ll be working for it.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. If you’re patient, hold out for Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. The swell pushes up to 4ft–4ft from the SW, period hanging around 16–18 seconds, and the combined energy jumps into the strong range (1011 and 1014). Best of all, the wind is light and onshore, which for a reef like Rockpile with its optimum direction from the SW, is actually a pretty good setup. This is the standout window. The waves won’t be huge, but the quality from that long-period groundswell should be smooth, with long lulls between sets. Just a heads up—this spot is consistent, but it can get crowded, so expect company.
After that, things taper off. The swell drops back to 3ft–4ft through the end of July and into the first week of August, with periods shortening to 12–15 seconds. The wind stays mostly onshore or cross-on, which at that size and period, just makes for a messy, choppy surface. The combined energy drops to moderate or even weak levels (as low as 144), and the forecast calls it poor surf conditions from the 2nd of August onward.
From the 2nd of August, it’s a real dry spell. The swell is tiny (1ft–2ft), short period, and the wind is often cross-on or strong. Honestly, for the second week, there’s nothing to recommend. The 7th of August has a tiny 1ft SW swell with a 16-second period, but at that size, you’re just bobbing around.
So here’s the bottom line: your best bet is Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. Moderate swell, strong energy, and workable wind. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got. For the rest of the run, keep the board in the car, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
361 | 317 | 321 | 541 | 271 | 647 | 647 | 513 | 945 | 716 | 609 | 694 | 901 | 511 | 717 | 951 | 897 | 767 | 644 | 636 | 558 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 5:47PM1.60m | 8:38AM1.01m | 6:37PM1.66m | 9:08AM1.08m | 7:21PM1.73m | 9:30AM1.13m | 7:59PM1.80m | 9:51AM1.17m | 8:34PM1.86m | 10:13AM1.21m | 9:08PM1.90m | 10:36AM1.25m | 9:39PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:10AM0.85m | 1:56AM0.13m | 12:24PM0.88m | 2:35AM0.03m | 1:20PM0.86m | 3:08AM-0.05m | 2:03PM0.80m | 3:38AM-0.11m | 2:40PM0.74m | 4:06AM-0.16m | 3:14PM0.68m | 4:33AM-0.18m | 3:47PM0.63m | 5:00AM-0.17m | |||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
— | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
124 | 94 | 124 | 115 | 86 | 647 | 647 | 513 | 945 | 716 | 609 | 694 | 901 | 511 | 717 | 951 | 897 | 767 | 644 | 636 | 558 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 |
361 | 317 | 321 | 283 | 196 | 58 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 88 | 93 | 54 | 87 | 76 | 40 | 55 | 74 | 57 | 78 | 58 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 18 | SW 26 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 9 | SW 19 | SSW 8 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 14 | SSE 14 |
31 | 105 | 105 | 541 | 271 | 113 | 50 | 31 | 78 | 27 | 46 | 65 | 23 | 299 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 39 | 15 | 61 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 66 | 66 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 129 | 64 | 5 | 64 | 64 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 7 | 64 | 16 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rockpile Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rockpile provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rockpile can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rockpile 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 (Rockpile) 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 Rockpile 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.
Rockpile is 10 km (6 miles) from San Diego. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Diego. San Diego has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










