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

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Sunday 17 May 2026 PDT
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
19.1° C
(Which is 2.7°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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (May 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 18) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Mon 18th May)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 18th May)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Most Powerful 5AM (Mon 18th May)5ft (1.6m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Del Mar over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
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)
1.4
W
10
1.4
W
12
1.5
W
12
1.4
W
12
1.1
W
12
0.8
W
12
0.7
W
11
0.6
W
11
0.5
S
13
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
15
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
356
613
668
547
336
175
118
94
90
124
145
184
184
174
150
366
150
191
299
302
255
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
20
SW
20
S
10
SW
20
SW
0
ENE
15
W
10
W
5
NW
15
W
15
W
5
SSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
5
SW
15
WSW
15
W
5
WNW
15
W
15
WNW
10
NW
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
10:58AM1.59m
9:54PM2.54m
11:59AM1.54m
10:42PM2.46m
1:06PM1.51m
11:35PM2.33m
2:19PM1.52m
00:35AM2.14m
3:32PM1.58m
1:46AM1.94m
4:33PM1.68m
3:10AM1.76m
5:21PM1.80m
4:37AM1.63m
Low Tide
3:31PM1.01m
5:20AM-0.07m
4:17PM1.09m
6:16AM-0.00m
5:11PM1.18m
7:16AM0.10m
6:21PM1.25m
8:18AM0.23m
7:54PM1.29m
9:20AM0.35m
9:42PM1.23m
10:18AM0.47m
11:14PM1.07m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:48
5:47
5:46
5:46
5:45
5:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:42
7:43
7:44
7:44
7:45
7:45
7:45
Temp °C
17
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
18
19
19
17
19
19
17
18
18
16
18
18
17
15
14
15
16
15
16
16
16
17
18
17
16
18
17
16
17
16
15
16
16
16
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
W
10
1.4
W
12
1.5
W
12
1.4
W
12
1.1
W
12
0.8
W
12
0.7
W
11
0.6
W
11
0.5
W
11
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.6
S
14
0.6
SW
15
0.6
S
13
0.8
SW
18
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SW
15
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
Energy kJ
356
613
668
547
336
175
118
84
59
124
145
109
153
174
126
366
100
191
299
302
255
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WNW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
S
15
0.5
S
13
0.5
S
13
0.5
S
13
0.4
SSW
12
0.5
W
13
0.5
SW
19
0.5
SW
15
0.6
S
14
0.5
SW
18
0.5
S
13
0.5
S
13
0.5
S
12
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
12
0.5
W
4
Energy kJ
170
139
98
51
49
68
90
90
90
50
89
184
106
146
150
84
79
71
44
44
9
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
0.2
S
18
0.4
S
16
0.3
S
16
0.4
S
15
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
SSW
12
0.5
W
13
0.5
SW
19
0.4
WNW
12
0.5
SW
14
0.4
W
11
0.5
SW
18
0.4
W
5
0.4
W
5
0.1
SW
21
0.3
S
11
Energy kJ
139
24
81
45
68
48
96
94
90
33
49
86
184
47
102
37
150
8
8
18
21
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
5
Energy kJ
7
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
1
3
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
Distance (km)
120
285
83
138
83
0
36
36
1
36
36
10
36
36
2
36
35
9
35
36
35
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
5
4
2
4
3
3
4
3
1
3
3
1
4
1
3
2
3
2
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
5
5
4
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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