Terra Mar Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.20° N 117.39° W

Terra Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Terra Mar sea temperature is
25.3°C
5.3° 

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 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, S swell with 2,276 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 2.3m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 31st Aug)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 5th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 16s
Most Powerful11AM (Sun 6th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's take a look at what's coming up for Terra Mar.

The outlook is a long, drawn-out tease. We’ve got a solid run of small, messy swell for the next week or so, but nothing that’s going to get the blood pumping. The real interest, and the only true standout on the cards, is a punchy south swell that shows up later in the first week of September.

Right now, the surf is small and mostly poor. Monday, the 31st of August, we’re looking at a weak 3 ft SSW swell with a moderate 14-second period, but the wind is on it and the surf quality is just not there. The combined energy is only moderate at 500. That same limp, cross-onshore pattern hangs around through Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Swell heights bobble between 2 ft and 4 ft, and the energy values stay in the moderate range (252 to 805). The wind is a constant problem, keeping it choppy and uninviting. It’s a write-off for a solid four or five days.

Things start to change on Saturday, the 5th of September. The swell picks up a bit, hitting 3 ft to 4 ft from the SSW and S, with the period holding at a solid 14-16 seconds. The energy jumps to a strong 920 in the morning and a very strong 1106 in the afternoon. The wind lightens up, which is a big positive, but the conditions are still just marginal. It’s a glimmer of hope, but not the main event.

Now, the real standout is Sunday, the 6th of September. This is the one to circle on the calendar. A solid 8 ft south swell, with a 15-second period, rolls in. The combined energy is a powerful 2474, telling you there’s a lot of water moving. And the wind? A crisp NNE cross-offshore, at 25 km/h (16 mph). The forecast says it’s clean. That’s a beautiful thing to hear. For a point break like Terra Mar, which is exposed to the swell, this long-period groundswell is perfect. The long period means well-shaped waves and easier paddling, though it’s a powerful 8 ft, so it’s not for the faint of heart or beginners – that’s expert territory. It’s a solid, heavy day for the crew that knows what they’re doing. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.

Monday, the 7th of September, is a washout. The swell is still a solid 8 ft, but the wind is howling from the SSE at 40 km/h (25 mph), making it an absolute mess. The surf quality is rated as poor. This setup is more interesting for the kite surfers than the paddle crew.

After that, it’s back to the small stuff. The following week, from the 8th of September onward, the swell drops back to 1 ft to 6 ft, with energy levels dropping back to moderate (213 to 493). The wind is mostly a light to gentle cross-onshore, which keeps the conditions mediocre at best. There’s a couple of marginal moments on the 13th and 15th of September, but nothing that’s worth getting excited about at this range.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a grind. The one truly standout day is Sunday, the 6th of September, with that powerful, clean south swell.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
1
2
0
1
3
2
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
S
12
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.7
SW
17
0.6
SW
15
0.9
SW
18
0.9
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1.2
S
14
1.6
S
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
389
253
184
156
116
114
95
133
129
291
149
455
547
594
667
674
512
585
1045
Wind (km/h)
0
W
15
WSW
15
W
5
NW
15
WSW
20
W
5
NW
10
WSW
15
W
0
ENE
15
SW
15
WSW
5
SE
15
SSW
15
WSW
5
NE
10
WNW
10
SW
10
N
Wind State
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
cross
cross-on
on
off
cross
on
cross-off
High Tide
11:10PM1.79m
11:32AM2.02m
11:57PM1.60m
12:06PM2.03m
00:58AM1.39m
12:48PM2.03m
2:40AM1.23m
1:48PM2.00m
6:05AM1.25m
3:13PM1.98m
7:12AM1.38m
4:46PM2.04m
Low Tide
5:10AM0.64m
6:02PM0.64m
5:34AM0.79m
7:03PM0.65m
5:58AM0.95m
8:23PM0.65m
6:24AM1.10m
10:07PM0.59m
7:01AM1.25m
11:37PM0.45m
10:01AM1.32m
00:40AM0.30m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:15
7:15
7:13
7:12
7:10
7:08
 mm
Temp °C
22
24
24
21
23
23
21
23
23
21
22
22
21
23
23
21
23
23
24
Feels °C
25
23
22
21
22
20
20
22
21
20
21
20
22
22
22
23
23
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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