Surf Forecasts:
Santa Cruz Harbour surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 953 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Santa Cruz Harbour this week:
The surf forecast for Santa Cruz Harbour over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 21s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Santa Cruz Harbour in the next 16 days are 1.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Santa Cruz Harbour over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's on the cards for the Santa Cruz Harbour area. We've got a bit of a mixed bag to start, then the taps get turned off for a long stretch. Let's get into it.
First up, we’ve got a tiny window of decent swell. The standout is Saturday morning, July 25th. It’s not huge, with a clean 3-foot SSW groundswell, but that's packing a 21-second period – proper long-period energy that will wrap in nicely at this beach/jetty setup. The water's a touch warmer than normal at 60.6°, and with glassy conditions and the combined swell energy at a solid 926 (moderate energy), it's going to be pristine. The only catch is it's an advanced-only wave at a break that can get crowded, so pick your peak and be ready to compete. That’s your best bet by far.
The rest of the first week is pretty marginal. Saturday afternoon turns a bit cross-shore, and from Sunday July 26th through to Friday July 31st, we’re looking at onshore breezes and a lot of "questionable" surf. Swell heights hover around the 2 to 4-foot mark, but the periods drop and the conditions just aren't there. There’s one faint glimmer on Saturday morning, August 1st – a 4-foot S swell with glassy winds. The period is only 14 seconds and the combined energy sits at 548 (moderate energy), but it might be worth a look if you're desperate for a paddle.
Then we hit a wall. From Sunday, August 2nd, through to late in the second week, it goes quiet. We're talking days on end with poor surf conditions. Swell drops to around 1.3 feet with weak combined energy values barely cracking 100. Onshore and cross-onshore winds are the norm. Honestly, it's a long, flat run.
So, to bring it home: Saturday morning July 25th is the only genuine standout. Glassy, long-period groundswell, clean conditions. Everything else in this 16-day outlook is a write-off until maybe a very late pulse around Sunday, August 9th, when we see a 2.3-foot SSW swell building, but that's a long way off and the conditions are still onshore. The first real action is your one clear window.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 21 | SSW 21 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 15 | S 17 | S 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 799 | 573 | 746 | 657 | 630 | 547 | 735 | 953 | 580 | 817 | 687 | 566 | 452 | 487 | 310 | 353 | 179 | 172 | 225 | 197 | 405 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:57AM1.24m | 8:00PM1.66m | 11:30AM1.27m | 8:44PM1.68m | 11:58AM1.27m | 9:25PM1.69m | 12:20PM1.26m | 10:03PM1.69m | 12:40PM1.26m | 10:40PM1.66m | 12:58PM1.27m | 11:17PM1.59m | 1:17PM1.30m | 11:56PM1.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:26PM1.05m | 3:39AM-0.06m | 3:12PM1.03m | 4:14AM-0.11m | 3:50PM1.00m | 4:46AM-0.15m | 4:25PM0.95m | 5:15AM-0.17m | 4:57PM0.89m | 5:41AM-0.16m | 5:30PM0.83m | 6:07AM-0.12m | 6:06PM0.76m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 27 | 20 | 21 | 28 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 18 |
Feels °C | 21 | 26 | 20 | 21 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SW 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | S 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 17 | S 14 |
| kJ | 799 | 573 | 746 | 657 | 630 | 60 | 735 | 953 | 131 | 154 | 687 | 232 | 243 | 487 | 372 | 255 | 179 | 175 | 140 | 197 | 405 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WNW 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | S 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | S 15 | SSE 15 | S 14 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 60 | 58 | 40 | 46 | 46 | 547 | 23 | 56 | 580 | 817 | 186 | 566 | 452 | 98 | 310 | 353 | 106 | 172 | 225 | 148 | 110 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | SW 12 | NW 10 | S 11 | SW 21 | NW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 20 | S 18 | S 15 | S 16 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 17 |
| kJ | 21 | 21 | 37 | 4 | 2 | 117 | 5 | 10 | 37 | 35 | 31 | 67 | 155 | 4 | 132 | 30 | 92 | 155 | 104 | 94 | 145 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 46 | 114 | — | 40 | 107 | — | 66 | 136 | — | — | 250 | — | — | 347 | — | — | 237 | — | — | 136 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 87 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Santa Cruz Harbour Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Santa Cruz Harbour provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Santa Cruz Harbour can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Santa Cruz Harbour 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 (Santa Cruz Harbour) 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 Santa Cruz Harbour 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.
Santa Cruz Harbour is 3 km (2 miles) from the city of Live Oak. If you plan a vacation in Santa Cruz, look for hotels and other accommodation in Live Oak. Live Oak has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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