Surf Forecasts:
Rockpile surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SSW swell with 1,042 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rockpile in the next 16 days are 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2PM. 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+) | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rockpile over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about what’s cooking.
First off, don’t bother paddling out Thursday the 16th, Friday the 17th, or Saturday the 18th. It’s flat, windy, and ugly. No surf worth mentioning.
The action kicks off on Sunday the 19th. Rockpile is the only spot in the game. It’s a consistent, beginner-friendly reef, but it does get crowded sometimes. The water is running 22°C – that’s about 72°F – and it’s a solid 3°C (5°F) warmer than usual, so ditch the steamer.
The top session is Sunday morning the 19th. We’re looking at 5ft swell from the SSW, with a 13-second period and a combined energy around 1263. That’s strong energy. The wind is light offshore at 10 km/h (6 mph), so it’ll be glassy and clean. Not a beginner wave at that size, but for the rest of you, it’s the best of the week. The afternoon drops a bit but still holds.
Monday the 20th keeps the same 5ft SSW swell, but the wind turns cross-onshore, so it’s less perfect. Still rideable.
The middle of the week from Tuesday the 21st through Thursday the 23rd drops into the 3ft to 3ft range, with cross-onshore winds. It’s marginal, not worth getting excited about.
Then we have a late pulse on Friday the 24th. The morning shows a 2ft SW swell, but with a 24-second period – that’s a very long groundswell. Combined energy hits 1363, so there’s heaps of power. With light winds, it’ll be a clean, tricky wave. It’s over a week out, so it’s a promising maybe.
The weekend of the 25th and 26th sees 2ft to 3ft SW swell, with long periods and light winds. It’s surfable, but not a standout. Tuesday the 28th has a 4ft SSW swell with a 17-second period and light wind, offering a good chance for a clean session.
The last few days fade back into small, weak, and messy. Nothing to chase.
Bottom line: Sunday morning the 19th at Rockpile is your best bet. The Friday the 24th morning session is a long-range shout, but don’t bank on it just yet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 203 | 164 | 144 | 181 | 102 | 142 | 366 | 249 | 588 | 713 | 648 | 519 | 850 | 386 | 492 | 400 | 375 | 435 | 350 | 346 | 613 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 12:03PM1.40m | 11:18PM1.95m | 12:44PM1.44m | 00:05AM1.71m | 1:27PM1.47m | 00:57AM1.44m | 2:12PM1.50m | 1:59AM1.18m | 3:01PM1.51m | 3:26AM0.96m | 3:54PM1.53m | 5:38AM0.87m | 4:51PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:32PM0.52m | 6:33AM-0.24m | 6:28PM0.53m | 7:10AM-0.05m | 7:30PM0.55m | 7:47AM0.16m | 8:44PM0.56m | 8:25AM0.38m | 10:14PM0.52m | 9:05AM0.58m | 11:50PM0.41m | 9:57AM0.75m | 1:04AM0.27m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 74 | 86 | 86 | 63 | 80 | 42 | 366 | 249 | 588 | 713 | 563 | 444 | 850 | 386 | 492 | 400 | 375 | 435 | 350 | 346 | 613 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 15 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 6 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 5 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 7 | S 14 | W 6 |
| kJ | 203 | 164 | 144 | 103 | 102 | 142 | 71 | 98 | 13 | 470 | 648 | 519 | 9 | 211 | 154 | 67 | 62 | 40 | 18 | 183 | 56 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 13 | WNW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 14 | W 5 | WNW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 15 | SW 7 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 56 | 35 | 127 | 181 | 83 | 43 | 23 | 22 | 44 | 80 | 14 | 7 | 37 | 9 | 67 | 35 | 35 | 20 | 71 | 16 | 95 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | SSW 3 | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 13 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 129 | 129 | 64 | 64 | 129 | 5 | 129 | 16 | 64 | 66 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
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.
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