Surf Forecasts:
Seaside Reef surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SSW swell with 703 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Seaside Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Grab a coffee and let's look at this stretch for Seaside Reef. It’s a reef break that needs a specific westerly direction to really work, and the next two weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, so patience is key.
We’re starting off with a bit of a nothing burger. Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th are a write-off. The swell is tiny, only 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. The water is a balmy 73°F, which is a massive 6°F above normal – that’s very unusual for this time of year, throwing off the usual feel. Don’t even bother paddling out.
Things start to show a pulse from Sunday the 19th into the early part of the following week. The swell picks up to around 3ft, and we start seeing some decent offshore wind from the west. The combined energy kicks up into the 700-1000 range (moderate). It’s still marginal, but the afternoons on Sunday and Monday have a bit more push and cleaner conditions. The 17 second period on Sunday afternoon is a long-period groundswell, which is a good sign for a reef break like this, offering better shaped waves and longer lulls between sets.
The standout window, and the best on offer, is the weekend of the 26th and 27th of July. This is the one to circle. The swell is consistent at 4ft to 4ft, coming from the SSW. But the real magic is the wind. We’re looking at light W or WSW winds, putting it perfectly offshore. The combined swell energy is strong, hitting 1282-1467 (strong). The period is hanging around 18-19 seconds, which is very long-period groundswell. This is going to produce clean, lined-up waves on the reef. It’s an advanced break, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for the sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it. Expect crowds to be likely, as everyone’s looking for the same thing.
The last few days of the month and into August 1st see the swell drop off a bit, but the 31st of July throws up a spike of 7ft from the S with offshore winds. That’s getting into expert-only territory, so only the brave and the skilled should be out there. The energy is massive at 1664 (very strong), but the 13-14 second period makes it punchy. For the average surfer, the 27th of July is the absolute sweet spot.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a washout. The real action is that weekend of the 26th and 27th of July. That’s your best bet for clean, solid waves at Seaside Reef.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | S 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 103 | 137 | 366 | 379 | 127 | 414 | 493 | 431 | 393 | 362 | 334 | 512 | 474 | 551 | 437 | 431 | 316 | 280 | 239 | 257 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 00:05AM2.01m | 1:30PM1.84m | 00:58AM1.74m | 2:14PM1.86m | 2:02AM1.48m | 3:01PM1.87m | 3:36AM1.29m | 3:52PM1.88m | 5:49AM1.24m | 4:47PM1.90m | 7:36AM1.30m | 5:40PM1.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:11PM0.94m | 6:51AM0.36m | 7:17PM0.95m | 7:27AM0.58m | 8:34PM0.94m | 8:03AM0.79m | 10:05PM0.88m | 8:41AM0.98m | 11:34PM0.77m | 9:31AM1.13m | 00:42AM0.64m | 10:46AM1.22m | 1:31AM0.51m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | W 6 |
| kJ | 42 | 137 | 366 | 379 | 110 | 414 | 472 | 322 | 307 | 242 | 334 | 512 | 474 | 551 | 437 | 431 | 316 | 280 | 239 | 59 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | W 7 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 17 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | S 13 | S 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 103 | 23 | 98 | 96 | 127 | 143 | 493 | 431 | 393 | 362 | 122 | 265 | 70 | 49 | 28 | 87 | 150 | 186 | 158 | 257 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | S 11 | W 6 | W 6 | S 13 | S 13 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 14 | SW 11 | S 8 | S 8 | S 15 | S 12 | WSW 6 | SW 26 | S 12 |
| kJ | 83 | 39 | 12 | 12 | 56 | 156 | 74 | 43 | 41 | 69 | 175 | 39 | 43 | 34 | 20 | 115 | 75 | 24 | 171 | 137 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | W 4 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 4 | 5 | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 19 | 28 | 33 | 57 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 89 | 19 | 133 | 42 | 19 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 41 | 42 | 10 | 42 | 42 | 41 | 42 | 42 | 10 |
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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