Surf Forecasts:
Terra Mar surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 867 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Terra Mar this week:
The surf forecast for Terra Mar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Terra Mar in the next 16 days are 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Terra Mar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Terra Mar.
The first week is a bit of a bummer, to be honest. We’re looking at a lot of poor to marginal surf, with the wind mostly cross-onshore, which just chops things up. The water is about 74°, which is a wild 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a hot tub out there.
The combined swell energy is mostly moderate, sitting between 300 and 600 (moderate wave energy), but the conditions just aren't cooperating. The swell is small, mostly 2ft to 4ft, coming from the SW and S, with some decently long periods (11 to 19 seconds). That long period would normally mean good shape, but the wind is a constant problem. There’s a real gap here with no good recommendations for several days.
Things start to perk up a bit towards the end of the first week and into the second. From about Thursday the 3rd of September, we see a bump. The combined swell energy hits 677 on the morning, then jumps to 885 (moderate wave energy) in the afternoon, with swell from the SSW at 3ft to 3ft and a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and it’ll have some punch. The wind is still cross-on, though, so it’s not a total winner.
The standout window is the 4th, 5th, and 6th of September. On Friday the 4th, the swell pushes up to 4ft from the SSW with a 17-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1139 (strong wave energy). The wind finally looks good, with light breezes and some offshore or light cross-on conditions. That’s the one to get excited about. The morning of Friday the 4th is the best, with light cross-onshore winds and a bit of shape.
Saturday the 5th holds similar size, 4ft to 5ft, with light breezes, and the energy is even higher at 1406 (strong wave energy). Sunday the 6th has the biggest size at 5ft, but the wind starts to pick up again, turning more onshore.
For a beginner, that 4ft to 5ft is getting a bit big, but it’s not out of the question. For the experienced crew, that Friday morning window is the time to go. The swell direction is a solid SSW, which matches what the break likes. It’s a point break, and with that long period swell, it will probably wrap in nicely, but it might be a bit too lined up and fast for the beach break sections. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it’s not a zoo.
The setup is a point break, so it’s not a wild beach break, but with the wind and swell, it could be a bit of a fight for the paddle-out. If the wind stays light, it’ll be clean. If it’s onshore, it’s going to be a mess.
So, bottom line: the first week is a write-off. Focus on the 4th and 5th for the best chance at something decent.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
177 | 155 | 273 | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 208 | 335 | 344 | 393 | 461 | 342 | 267 | 270 | 351 | 325 | 742 | 594 | 635 | 706 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:41AM1.49m | 6:56PM2.01m | 8:58AM1.55m | 7:35PM2.10m | 9:16AM1.61m | 8:10PM2.17m | 9:35AM1.68m | 8:44PM2.20m | 9:55AM1.75m | 9:18PM2.17m | 10:17AM1.83m | 9:53PM2.09m | 10:39AM1.90m | 10:30PM1.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:51PM1.24m | 2:18AM0.34m | 1:31PM1.14m | 2:46AM0.27m | 2:06PM1.04m | 3:12AM0.24m | 2:40PM0.94m | 3:36AM0.24m | 3:15PM0.84m | 4:00AM0.29m | 3:51PM0.76m | 4:23AM0.38m | 4:31PM0.69m | 4:46AM0.49m | |||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | W 8 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
29 | 98 | 273 | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 171 | 335 | 344 | 393 | 461 | 342 | 267 | 204 | 95 | 108 | 742 | 594 | 635 | 706 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 7 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 7 | W 8 | SSW 18 | S 9 | W 8 | S 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 |
99 | 155 | 199 | 89 | 85 | 126 | 126 | 208 | 26 | 47 | 198 | 174 | 52 | 44 | 270 | 113 | 44 | 73 | 74 | 54 | 117 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SSW 16 | W 5 | S 15 | S 14 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | W 10 | S 8 | S 9 | SSW 9 |
177 | 84 | 11 | 110 | 66 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 203 | 203 | 30 | 20 | 134 | 132 | 88 | 351 | 325 | 69 | 52 | 40 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 17 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 60 | 61 | 0 | 103 | 60 | 0 | 61 | 182 | 98 | 103 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 61 | 0 | 61 | 156 | 0 | 61 | 60 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Terra Mar Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Terra Mar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Terra Mar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Terra 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 (Terra 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 Terra 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.
Terra Mar is 1 km (1 miles) from the city of Oceanside. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Oceanside. Oceanside has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











