South Del Mar Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.99° N 117.28° W

South Del Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's South Del Mar sea temperature is
23.9° C
3.8° 

South Del Mar surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


South Del Mar surf forecast from 13 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★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period with SW 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. 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 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 13th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
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 South Del Mar over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let me take a look at what we've got for the next couple of weeks.

It’s gonna be a quiet stretch, folks. There’s nothing worth getting excited about in the immediate future. We’re looking at a long run of small, weak surf from now until around the middle of the month.

Things start off on Thursday morning, August 13th, with small 2ft SW groundswell. The wait between sets will be long with that 16 second period, but at a place like South Del Mar, a reef setup, it might actually wrap in okay. The wind is light onshore, though, so it’ll be bumpy. The combined energy is weak, just 330, and it’s being called marginal. Friday, the 14th, is a little better energy-wise, hitting 583 in the morning with a cleaner offshore breeze from the W. Swell is still small at 2ft from the SSW, but that 18 second period is very long. For a reef, that could mean some nice, shaping lines. Saturday morning, the 15th, has a similar story with 3ft SSW and 615 energy, but it’s still just a marginal call.

Honestly, none of this stuff is a standout. The wave quality stays poor or marginal right the way through. The water temp is looking about average for this time of year, nothing strange there.

We get a bit of a bump in energy around the 21st and 22nd of August, but we’re talking 2ft to 2ft surf with energy levels dropping. This is basically flat. Even the reliable 1 to 2-foot days are absent. There’s a small blip of 2ft, 19 second SW groundswell on Sunday the 23rd with energy at 425, but the onshore wind from the WNW won’t do us any favours. It’s still a “poor” call.

Looking further into the last week of August, it’s more of the same. 2ft to 2ft SW swells, light winds that are often onshore or cross-onshore, keeping things choppy. There is no day where the wind is truly glassy, and the swell never gets over 3ft. This is a real dry spell.

The only break on the list is South Del Mar. It’s a fairly consistent reef that’s good for beginners, but with the crowds often around here, even the small clean waves will be fought over. For now, the setup is just too small and weak for a proper paddle session. With this onshore wind and tiny bump, it honestly looks more interesting for a kite surfer than someone with a longboard.

There’s nothing on offer that’s worth rushing out for. Keep your gear waxed and hope the forecasts change, because this blank run is a tough one.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
18
1.3
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
306
255
353
276
292
404
921
417
683
666
493
437
437
367
264
257
232
243
275
Wind (km/h)
5
WSW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
WNW
15
W
15
W
5
NW
15
WNW
15
W
10
NW
15
W
10
WNW
10
NW
15
W
10
WNW
5
NW
10
WSW
10
SW
5
SW
Wind State
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
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
1:40PM1.88m
3:22AM1.21m
Low Tide
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
6:46AM0.96m
9:14PM0.81m
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:11
6:11
6:11
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:36
7:35
7:34
7:32
7:31
7:30
 mm
Temp °C
21
21
22
20
22
21
20
21
21
21
22
23
21
24
24
23
24
24
22
Feels °C
22
22
22
21
22
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
21
24
24
25
25
24
24
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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