South Del Mar surfForecast / CAL – San Diego County / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 pm Sunday 21 Dec 2025 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
South Del Mar surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's South Del Mar sea temperature is
16.8° C
(Which is 1.6°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for South Del Mar this week:

The surf forecast for South Del Mar over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Dec 22) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 12 days are 1.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 24) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 22nd Dec)2ft (0.6m) 11s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 26th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 26th Dec)6ft (1.9m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Del Mar over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSE by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
3
0
1
0
2
4
2
1
2
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.7
W
0.7
W
0.4
SW
0.4
SW
2.2
SSW
2.2
S
1.1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
1
WSW
1.3
W
1.8
W
1.6
WSW
1.4
W
1.2
W
1.1
W
0.8
W
Period(s) (?)11111110109151587888814121111111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)89888578948359545265221649565107627933645466326282120
Wind
(km/h)
15
NW
10
NNW
10
NW
5
WNW
5
SW
15
SSE
20
SSE
30
SSE
25
S
10
SSE
20
S
10
S
10
SSW
10
SE
15
SSE
15
S
20
S
10
SW
5
WSW
5
SSE
10
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:07PM
1.47
9:29AM
2.19
11:47PM
1.48
10:04AM
2.10
12:27AM
1.50
10:41AM
1.98
1:08AM
1.56
11:26AM
1.81
1:50AM
1.65
12:26PM
1.61
2:33AM
1.77
1:56PM
1.42
3:18AM
1.91
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:25PM
0.21
3:11AM
1.18
5:00PM
0.25
3:50AM
1.21
5:34PM
0.32
4:39AM
1.23
6:08PM
0.41
5:44AM
1.25
6:44PM
0.51
7:11AM
1.21
7:23PM
0.64
8:53AM
1.08
8:09PM
0.77
10:22AM
0.85
Sun
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunrise--6:48--6:48--6:48--6:48--6:50--6:50--6:50
Sunset4:45--4:45--4:46--4:46--4:47--4:49--4:49--
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
------14387111----113-21
Temp. °C161517171618181816171718181718171717161515
Feels °C (?)141416171716151312151517171615141415151413
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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