Surf Forecasts:
South Del Mar surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 798 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for South Del Mar this week:
The surf forecast for South Del Mar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at South Del Mar in the next 16 days are 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Del Mar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on offer at South Del Mar over the next couple weeks. This is a reef break, exposed to the swell, pretty consistent, and it can get busy. Water temps are normal for the season.
Look, the first part of the outlook is a real struggle. From Monday the 10th right through late Thursday the 13th, it’s poor surf. Wind is cross-on or onshore, making things choppy, and the swell is tiny. Combined wave energy is weak, running from 324 to 473, with wave heights just 2ft to 3ft. Not worth a paddle.
Things turn marginal from Friday the 14th onward. The energy picks up into moderate territory, reaching 545 Friday morning and peaking at 731 Saturday afternoon. Wave heights hit 4ft by Saturday arvo, with a 16-second period from the SSW. That long period gives the waves some shape and grunt, but at a reef break, it can straighten out a bit. Wind stays onshore or cross-on, so no glass, but there’ll be some push. The best chance is Saturday the 15th morning, with a 3ft, 16-second SSW swell and light onshore breeze. You might snag a few fun ones. Expect other folks to be out, ‘cause this break gets attention when there’s any pulse.
From Sunday the 16th all the way to Tuesday the 25th, it’s mostly back to poor. Energy drops below 500, wave heights shrink to 1ft to 3ft, and the wind stays tricky. There’s a tiny flicker on Monday the 24th afternoon with a marginal rating and energy at 390, but the swell is small and from the SSW. Don’t get your hopes up. It’s a long, flat stretch.
Bottom line: if you want a wave, your only real window is Friday the 14th to Saturday the 15th. It ain’t perfect, but the energy is up, and there’ll be something to ride.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed night, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | 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 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 297 | 207 | 186 | 184 | 129 | 319 | 316 | 230 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 358 | 335 | 292 | 404 | 798 | 417 | 683 | 666 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:05AM1.60m | 7:55PM2.46m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:29AM0.02m | 1:40PM1.04m | 3:10AM-0.05m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | 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 |
| kJ | 297 | 207 | 139 | 137 | 129 | 319 | 316 | 230 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 358 | 335 | 217 | 404 | 798 | 417 | 683 | 666 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | S 9 | SW 14 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 6 | 103 | 186 | 184 | 114 | 49 | 47 | 61 | 61 | 47 | 60 | 59 | 53 | 292 | 214 | 28 | 189 | 36 | 35 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | W 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 9 | S 11 | S 7 | W 13 |
| kJ | 30 | 11 | 39 | 33 | 74 | 75 | 45 | 50 | 47 | 22 | 23 | 44 | 149 | 36 | 55 | 7 | 37 | 4 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 4 | — | — | — | WNW 12 | SSW 9 | — | — | W 6 | — | W 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | W 4 | WNW 4 | W 3 | W 5 |
| kJ | — | 3 | — | — | — | 28 | 8 | — | — | 3 | — | 12 | — | — | 20 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 24 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 36 | 35 | 1 | 36 | 36 | 9 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 35 | 36 | 1 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the South Del Mar Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for South Del Mar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at South Del Mar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our South Del Mar 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 (South Del Mar) 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 South Del Mar 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.
South Del Mar is 5 km (3 miles) from the very large 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 cheap car hire and transport links.
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