Surf Forecasts:
Seaside Reef surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 921 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. 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 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Seaside Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Look, I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day window for Seaside Reef is a real tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, weak swell and mostly poor surf conditions. The water is sitting at a very warm 76°F, which is 8°F higher than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, feels like bathwater out there.
The whole outlook is dominated by tiny, weak swells from the SSW and SW. The combined wave energy stays mostly in the moderate range (values between 324 and 741), but the heights are just too small to get excited about. For the first week, from Tuesday 11 August right through to Monday 17 August, it’s a flat spell. The waves are around 2 ft to 4 ft, with periods up to 18 seconds, but the commentary is all “poor surf conditions” or “marginal.” The offshore winds are good from the west, but there’s just not enough swell to make anything of it.
We do see a tiny lift on Friday 14 August – the morning has a 2 ft SSW swell at 18 seconds, with a combined energy of 583, and clean offshore west wind. It’s labelled as marginal, but with that long period, the wave shape might offer a rare, clean little wave for the advanced crew. It’s the best on offer, but it’s still a struggle.
The following week, from 18 August onward, the swell stays small – 1 ft to 3 ft – and the wind turns more cross-onshore, especially from the SW and SSW. That’s going to make things choppy. The combined energy drops further, with values like 189 to 499, and the commentary is consistently “poor.” The standout morning of Sunday 23 August gives a 2 ft SW swell at 19 seconds with clean west wind, but the energy is only 372 – it’s a whisper, not a wave.
Overall, this is a frustrating run. Seaside Reef is inconsistent and needs a solid W or SW swell to fire, and we just aren’t getting it. There are no real standouts. If you’re a beginner, the tiny waves and clean wind on a few mornings might be okay for a splash, but for anyone looking for a proper surf, you’re better off waiting for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 129 | 319 | 316 | 230 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 353 | 276 | 292 | 404 | 921 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 544 | 437 | 482 | 367 | 264 | 264 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:38AM1.70m | 8:44PM2.49m | 10:12AM1.79m | 9:30PM2.43m | 10:45AM1.87m | 10:15PM2.29m | 11:18AM1.93m | 10:59PM2.09m | 11:51AM1.96m | 11:44PM1.85m | 12:25PM1.96m | 00:33AM1.60m | 1:00PM1.93m | 1:34AM1.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:33PM0.92m | 3:48AM-0.05m | 3:22PM0.82m | 4:24AM0.03m | 4:10PM0.75m | 4:57AM0.17m | 4:59PM0.72m | 5:28AM0.35m | 5:50PM0.72m | 5:57AM0.56m | 6:45PM0.75m | 6:23AM0.77m | 7:50PM0.79m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 |
| kJ | 129 | 319 | 316 | 230 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 353 | 276 | 255 | 404 | 921 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 544 | 437 | 482 | 367 | 264 | 40 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | W 4 | SW 14 | S 11 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 10 | W 5 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 114 | 49 | 56 | 47 | 61 | 47 | 60 | 59 | 52 | 292 | 251 | 8 | 191 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 58 | 264 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 12 | W 5 | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 74 | 75 | 45 | 50 | 47 | 22 | 23 | 44 | 149 | 36 | 68 | 44 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 25 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WNW 12 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 5 | — |
| kJ | 7 | 28 | — | — | 17 | — | — | 12 | — | — | 18 | — | — | 13 | — | — | 19 | — | 20 | 25 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 42 | 4 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 41 | 41 | 2 | 41 | 41 | 25 | 41 | 42 | 0 |
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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