Surf Forecasts:
Terra Mar surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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★+): Monday 24 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 24) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. 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+) | 2AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| 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, folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's happening at Terra Mar. Look, I gotta be straight with you – this stretch is gonna test your patience. We've got a solid 16-day window here, but the first week or so is pretty flat and messy. The standout action is all the way out on Saturday, September 5th, and into that first weekend of September. The middle of the run is a lot of waiting.
Right now, starting this Sunday the 23rd, it's a no-go. We've got tiny 2ft swell from the SW with a super long 18-second period, which is a groundswell, but a cross-on wind and the energy is weak (354). The water is 74° – that's 6° warmer than usual for this time of year, so it's like bathwater, but that doesn't help the wave quality. It stays like this for days: small, poor surf conditions. Monday the 24th through most of the week is an endless run of 2ft to 3ft SW slop with light winds that are never truly clean. The energy starts to tick up a bit by Tuesday the 25th (moderate at 406), but it's still "marginal surf forecast" all the way. You're basically looking at a gap of about 12 days with nothing worth getting wet for.
Now, let's jump ahead to Friday, September 4th. The swell starts to show some life. We're seeing 4ft from the SSW, period holding at a decent 17 seconds, and the energy is jumping to strong (991). But the winds are still a bit cross-on, so it's a "marginal" call. The real window opens on Saturday the 5th of September. That morning, everything comes together. The swell is 4ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, the energy is strong (911), and we finally get a light cross-offshore breeze from the north. That's the magic word: *clean*. The forecast says "expect very good surf conditions." This is your window. The wave size is solid but manageable for a point break like Terra Mar – it's not overhead, but it'll have push.
Keep in mind, this break is fairly consistent but exposed to the swell. The optimum direction is WSW, and we're getting SSW, so it's a little off-angle, but that long period groundswell will wrap pretty well. It's a beginner-friendly point break, but the crowds can show up "sometimes," so get there early for the clean morning glass.
Don't sleep on the following Sunday the 6th either. The swell pumps up to 7ft from the S, and the energy goes through the roof (1735). That's a powerful, very strong swell. The period drops a bit to 14 seconds, and the wind is a cross-on shore on the afternoon, so the morning is your best bet with the light SW onshore. Honestly, 7ft with that much energy might be pushing it for the average surfer at this point – it could get a bit unruly. Monday the 7th fades quickly, the period drops to 9 seconds, and it gets choppy again.
Overall, the first week and a half is a write-off. Don't bother. Circle Saturday the 5th of September on your calendar. That's the standout. The Sunday after is big and powerful, but less clean. Everything else is a swing and a miss.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on that wind.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
273 | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 208 | 311 | 501 | 461 | 373 | 257 | 252 | 204 | 351 | 246 | 742 | 594 | 733 | 706 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | ||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
273 | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 173 | 311 | 501 | 461 | 373 | 257 | 252 | 202 | 136 | 103 | 742 | 594 | 733 | 706 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | S 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
199 | 89 | 85 | 126 | 126 | 208 | 203 | 203 | 198 | 171 | 132 | 130 | 204 | 351 | 246 | 71 | 101 | 81 | 127 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | S 15 | S 14 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 8 | SW 14 | WNW 11 | SW 14 | W 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 |
11 | 110 | 66 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 33 | 20 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 114 | 40 | 147 | 51 | 67 | 57 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 0 | 103 | 232 | 0 | 61 | 61 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 103 | 138 | 0 | 60 | 61 | 0 | 60 | 60 |
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.











