Terra Mar Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.20° N 117.39° W

Terra Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Terra Mar sea temperature is
24.6° C
4.8° 

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


Terra Mar surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 438 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period with SSW 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 7th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 8th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 18s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 8th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.

I gotta be honest – the next 16 days at Terra Mar are looking pretty grim. The start is a total write-off, with no surf worth talking about until we get deep into the second week. The whole pattern is just small, messy swell with a cross-onshore or onshore wind that’s not giving us anything clean.

The first time you might even consider paddling out is Thursday, August 14th. That morning, we’ve got a 2ft SSW swell with a 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is moderate at 546. But the wind is from the WSW at 15 km/h, which is cross-onshore. It’s marginal, and the tide or conditions might not be on our side.

The best of the whole run, the only real highlight, is the afternoon of August 14th. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW, still with that long 18-second period, and the combined energy hits 756 – the highest we’ll see. The wind is still cross-onshore from the west at 15 km/h, so it’s not clean, but it’s the most push we’ll get. For a point break like Terra Mar (Santa Barbara), that long period can wrap in, but it’s going to be bumpy. It’s a “if you’re really keen” kind of session.

Saturday morning, August 15th, is similar – 3ft SSW swell, 16-second period, combined energy at 655, but again cross-onshore wind from the west. Marginal.

From Sunday, August 16th, right through to Friday, August 21st, it’s back to the same old story: small swell (2ft to 3ft), onshore or cross-onshore winds, and poor conditions. The combined energy drops into the low to mid 300s – weak. No standouts in that final stretch.

The water temp is a bizarre 76°F, which is about 9°F warmer than normal for this time of year. It’s weird, but it won’t help the waves.

So, don’t hold your breath. The first real look is August 14th, meaning a week of flat or near-flat conditions. The swell direction is SSW, but the spot works best with a WSW swell, so it’s never really lining up. As always, forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a lean run.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
19
0.6
SSW
19
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.5
SW
20
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
18
0.6
SSW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
114
126
329
243
348
344
295
362
309
305
301
207
186
184
131
252
316
195
264
306
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
5
WSW
15
W
15
W
5
WNW
15
W
15
W
5
WNW
15
WSW
15
WSW
5
WSW
15
SW
15
SW
0
SW
15
SW
10
SW
5
SSE
15
SW
15
WSW
0
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
3:37PM2.01m
6:47AM1.26m
4:52PM2.11m
7:50AM1.38m
6:02PM2.23m
8:30AM1.50m
7:02PM2.36m
9:05AM1.60m
7:56PM2.46m
9:39AM1.70m
8:45PM2.49m
10:13AM1.79m
9:31PM2.43m
Low Tide
11:46PM0.55m
9:34AM1.20m
00:52AM0.34m
11:21AM1.22m
1:44AM0.15m
12:40PM1.15m
2:29AM0.02m
1:40PM1.04m
3:10AM-0.06m
2:33PM0.92m
3:49AM-0.05m
3:23PM0.82m
4:24AM0.03m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:44
7:43
7:42
7:40
7:39
7:38
7:37
 mm
Temp °C
23
21
23
24
22
25
25
23
25
25
23
25
25
23
25
24
23
24
24
22
Feels °C
23
23
23
23
23
25
24
24
25
25
25
25
25
24
25
24
24
24
23
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 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.

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