Surf Forecasts:
South Del Mar surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,265 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 13s is also forecast. 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 1.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Del Mar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, looking at South Del Mar. I gotta level with you—this stretch is looking pretty flat and bumpy. Water temp is running a crazy 75°F, which is about 8°F warmer than it should be. That’s wild. We’ve got some moderate energy in the water (687 to start), but the wind’s not playing nice.
Wednesday the 22nd we’ve got a 3ft SSW groundswell, but onshore wind from the WNW at 9 mph is ruining it. Thursday the 23rd morning is slightly better with 4ft from the south and a 13-second period, but that cross-onshore breeze at 6 mph puts a little wrinkle on it. Still not good. Friday the 24th drops to 2ft, with a super long 24-second period from the SW—great for shape at a reef, but the size is tiny and the wind is cross-onshore at 9 mph. Energy is moderate at 968.
Saturday the 25th is 3ft and bumpy with light onshore wind. Sunday the 26th is a write-off: moderate cross-onshore wind at 12 mph, 4ft swell, called poor.
Now, for the best we’ve got—Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th push up to 4ft to 5ft from the SSW, with periods of 17-19 seconds. That Tuesday morning energy hits strong at 1234. That’s your best shot at some punch. But the wind is stubborn, cross-onshore from the WSW at 9 mph, so it’ll be choppy. This is the standout window, but it’s not clean. The reef is open to that SSW swell.
After that, it’s a slow fade. From the 29th we drop from 4ft down to 1ft by August 4th. The last week is all poor surf, with energy falling to a weak 151 by August 6th. From August 2nd through the 6th, it’s flat and ugly.
South Del Mar is a consistent beginner reef, but the crowds are often here, and with no offshore wind in sight, it’s a tough call. If you’ve got to go, aim for that Tuesday morning, July 28th, for the biggest waves. Otherwise, you’re fighting onshore chop for little reward.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 394 | 389 | 461 | 414 | 408 | 563 | 368 | 664 | 799 | 628 | 1100 | 863 | 735 | 915 | 1056 | 1065 | 780 | 1133 | 907 | 798 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:47PM1.90m | 7:36AM1.30m | 5:40PM1.94m | 8:29AM1.38m | 6:30PM2.00m | 9:01AM1.44m | 7:13PM2.07m | 9:27AM1.49m | 7:52PM2.15m | 9:52AM1.52m | 8:29PM2.22m | 10:17AM1.56m | 9:03PM2.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:42AM0.64m | 10:46AM1.22m | 1:31AM0.51m | 11:59AM1.25m | 2:10AM0.41m | 12:55PM1.23m | 2:44AM0.32m | 1:39PM1.18m | 3:16AM0.25m | 2:16PM1.12m | 3:46AM0.20m | 2:52PM1.07m | 4:15AM0.19m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 22 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 394 | 134 | 152 | 117 | 121 | 106 | 83 | 664 | 799 | 628 | 1100 | 863 | 735 | 915 | 1056 | 1065 | 780 | 1133 | 907 | 798 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | S 19 | W 9 |
| kJ | 253 | 330 | 461 | 414 | 408 | 299 | 217 | 58 | 59 | 44 | 106 | 66 | 70 | 37 | 37 | 48 | 30 | 16 | 188 | 40 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | S 10 | W 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 21 | W 7 | S 19 |
| kJ | 27 | 389 | 51 | 171 | 171 | 563 | 368 | 130 | 111 | 49 | 34 | 62 | 16 | 46 | 24 | 38 | 36 | 85 | 24 | 176 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 0 | 36 | 35 | 10 | 120 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 120 | 13 | 0 | 83 | 83 | 0 | 120 | 210 | 0 |
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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