Surf Forecasts:
Seaside Reef surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SSW swell with 965 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Seaside Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Seaside Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Seaside Reef in the next 16 days are 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. 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+) | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Seaside Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty checkin’ in from the home shore. We’ve got a pretty slim outlook ahead for Seaside Reef. This spot is a reef break, exposed to the south swell, but it’s inconsistent and only breaks when the conditions line up right. Right now, the water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The next 16 days are looking like a long stretch of marginal surf. The first few days—starting Wednesday the 26th through the weekend—are all small, cross-onshore, and just not offering much. Swell heights are hovering around 3 to 5 feet from the south with periods around 11 to 12 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate, ranging from 440 to 889. The wind is light but cross-onshore, so the surface is a bit messy. There’s no standout session here; it’s all pretty flat and uninspiring.
Things start to pick up a bit around the 2nd of September, with a little more size and some cleaner windows. The best of the whole period looks like Thursday morning, the 3rd of September. Swell is 6 feet from the SSW with a period of 12 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1053—moderate to strong. The wind is light and offshore from the west, which will groom the surface nicely. This is the only real highlight, but it’s still a marginal call with tide dependence. After that, the swell backs off and the wind picks up, turning choppy through the weekend of the 5th and 6th.
The second week stays small, with swells around 3 to 3 feet, longer periods from the SSW, and light offshore winds on the 8th and 9th. The energy is moderate but the surf is just too small to get excited about. It’s a long, quiet run for Seaside Reef. If you’re patient, the morning of the 3rd might be worth a paddle, but don’t expect much else.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°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 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 556 | 446 | 305 | 389 | 274 | 270 | 343 | 470 | 932 | 667 | 788 | 697 | 537 | 400 | 321 | 257 | 190 | 344 | 563 | 547 | 748 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:34AM1.68m | 8:44PM2.19m | 9:54AM1.75m | 9:18PM2.17m | 10:16AM1.83m | 9:52PM2.09m | 10:38AM1.90m | 10:29PM1.96m | 11:03AM1.97m | 11:09PM1.79m | 11:31AM2.01m | 11:56PM1.60m | 12:05PM2.03m | 00:56AM1.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:39PM0.94m | 3:35AM0.25m | 3:14PM0.84m | 3:59AM0.29m | 3:51PM0.76m | 4:22AM0.38m | 4:30PM0.69m | 4:46AM0.50m | 5:12PM0.65m | 5:09AM0.64m | 6:01PM0.64m | 5:33AM0.79m | 7:02PM0.65m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 556 | 446 | 305 | 389 | 274 | 151 | 343 | 470 | 932 | 667 | 788 | 172 | 177 | 142 | 131 | 74 | 190 | 344 | 563 | 547 | 748 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | S 9 | S 8 | W 10 | W 7 | W 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | S 14 | W 5 | SW 18 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 302 | 196 | 171 | 132 | 132 | 270 | 101 | 51 | 75 | 106 | 118 | 697 | 537 | 400 | 321 | 257 | 38 | 148 | 8 | 80 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 8 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | — |
| kJ | 30 | 19 | 12 | 22 | 33 | 113 | 55 | 46 | 33 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 58 | 80 | 73 | 202 | 161 | 118 | 45 | 19 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 42 | 0 | 116 | 19 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 2 | 42 | 41 | 0 | 42 | 41 | 8 | 41 | 41 | 12 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Seaside Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Seaside Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Seaside Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Seaside Reef 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 (Seaside Reef) 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 Seaside Reef 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.
Seaside Reef is 1 km (1 miles) from the city of Encinitas. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Encinitas. Encinitas has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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