
Surf Forecasts:
Terra Mar surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 553 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s is also forecast. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 5PM. 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+) | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Terra Mar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Terra Mar for the next couple of weeks. It’s a point break, breaks pretty consistently, and likes a good WSW swell.
Honestly, the start of this run is flat and frustrating. On Tuesday the 15th, we’ve got a tiny 2-foot swell from the SW with a long 16-second period, but a cross-onshore breeze from the SSW at 9 mph is ruining it. The water temp feels about normal for the season, but the surface is choppy and ugly – nothing to ride.
Wednesday the 16th gives a slight tease. The morning brings a 3-foot SSW groundswell with an 18-second period, which is proper long-period energy. The combined energy is moderate at 416, but the wind is onshore, so it’s a marginal call at best. A real 1-out-of-10 session.
Thursday and Friday keep that same story going – wave heights around 2 to 3 feet, periods between 15 and 19 seconds, and the combined energy climbs into strong territory, hitting over 500 by Friday morning. But the wind stays cross-on or onshore. The ocean’s bumpy and the reports call it poor or marginal. It’s a grind.
The one bright spot – and I mean the only one – hits on Sunday the 20th and into Monday the 21st. The swell lifts to 3-foot from the SW, periods still around 17-18 seconds, and the combined energy on Sunday afternoon blasts up to a strong 655. That’s some serious push. The wind goes light and onshore, turning into a light breeze. For Terra Mar, that should clean the surface right up. This is the best window of the entire outlook. If you’re picking one time, aim for Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. It’s not huge, but that long-period SW will wrap right into the point and give you some nice lines.
After that, the second week goes quiet. From Tuesday the 22nd through the end of the month, swells drop back to 2-3 feet, periods shrink to 12-16 seconds, and the combined energy fades. The wind sticks with cross-on or onshore, so it’s mostly poor conditions with a few barely marginal mornings. Tuesday the 29th shows a little pulse – a 2-foot SW swell with a 17-second period – but with the onshore breeze, it’s not worth getting your hopes up.
Here’s the takeaway: the first week is mostly a bust until that Sunday-Monday window rolls around. That’s the only real chance at clean, fun waves. The second week is flat and windy. Keep your eyes on the 20th and 21st – that’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
190 | 161 | 127 | 114 | 390 | 347 | 366 | 288 | 275 | 405 | 303 | 303 | 234 | 379 | 375 | 375 | 455 | 522 | 499 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 00:18AM1.49m | 11:53AM1.99m | 1:22AM1.32m | 12:27PM1.90m | 3:52AM1.22m | 1:13PM1.80m | 2:35PM1.72m | 8:13AM1.44m | 4:22PM1.72m | 7:53AM1.50m | 5:36PM1.80m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:24AM0.96m | 7:08PM0.64m | 5:37AM1.11m | 8:22PM0.72m | 5:04AM1.22m | 10:05PM0.73m | 11:35PM0.67m | 10:11AM1.43m | 00:29AM0.57m | 11:54AM1.34m | 1:06AM0.48m | ||||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 |
59 | 57 | 39 | 88 | 390 | 347 | 366 | 288 | 275 | 405 | 183 | 303 | 139 | 379 | 375 | 375 | 455 | 522 | 71 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | WSW 6 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 17 |
190 | 161 | 122 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 65 | 160 | 162 | 156 | 303 | 158 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 60 | 58 | 499 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 12 | NW 11 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 |
38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 15 | 14 | 28 | 14 | 25 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 234 | 99 | 96 | 85 | 56 | 75 | 51 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 39 | 108 | 0 | 115 | 61 | 0 | 60 | 61 | 0 | 60 | 61 | 0 | 61 | 60 | 0 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










