
Surf Forecasts:
Terra Mar surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,136 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 11PM. 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+) | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Terra Mar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming down the pike for Terra Mar.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—the first week is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a long stretch from Friday, July 17th, all the way through to Wednesday, July 22nd, where the surf is just poor. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave energy is way too weak to get excited about. It’s a real quiet spell.
We start to see a glimmer of hope on Sunday morning, July 19th, when the swell bumps up to 3ft from the SW with a long 17-second period. The combined energy hits 614 (moderate), but the wind is still onshore. It’s marginal at best, and surf quality is a tough sell. This pattern of marginal, cross-onshore, or onshore wind continues right through the week. The combined energy does climb, hitting 956 on Sunday afternoon, July 19th, and up to 780-950 on Monday, July 20th, but the wind is never clean. It’s a waiting game.
Now, the real standout arrives on Saturday, July 25th. This is the one to circle on the calendar. We’re looking at solid 6ft to 7ft of SSW groundswell with a 16-second period. The combined energy is massive—2332 on Saturday morning and 2123 on the afternoon (that’s strong wave energy). The wind is light and onshore from the SW, but here’s the kicker: the optimum swell direction for Terra Mar is WSW, and this is coming from the SSW, so it’s not a perfect match, but the size and power are undeniable. The wave comment says marginal, but with this much juice, it’s going to be big and powerful. Because it’s over 5ft, it’s not for beginners, and at 7ft, it’s pushing into expert territory. The long period (16 seconds) means those sets will have some serious push, but at a point break like Terra Mar, that’s actually a good thing—it’ll line up nicely.
The following week shows a drop-off in size but a bit more consistency. Sunday, July 26th, to Tuesday, July 28th, sees swell around 4ft to 4ft, with periods still in the 13-19 second range. The combined energy stays moderate (1200-1500). The wind is a mix of onshore and light cross-onshore, so the surf will be a bit bumpy but still rideable. The best window in that stretch is probably Monday, July 27th, with 4ft from the SW and a 18-second period, with light onshore wind. It’s marginal, but it’s the cleanest of that bunch.
The last few days of July and into August 1st, the swell drops right back down to 2ft to 3ft, and the energy falls off a cliff (184-529). The wind is back to being onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave comment is poor. It’s back to the same quiet pattern we started with.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off, the second week has some promise but nothing clean, and the absolute standout is Saturday, July 25th. That’s the day to get on it if you’re an experienced surfer looking for some serious SSW groundswell. The water temperature is about average for the time of year here, so no surprises there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
125 | 181 | 103 | 136 | 366 | 379 | 127 | 334 | 567 | 461 | 449 | 624 | 587 | 387 | 474 | 474 | 334 | 422 | 417 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:16PM2.26m | 12:48PM1.80m | 00:05AM2.01m | 1:31PM1.84m | 00:59AM1.74m | 2:15PM1.86m | 2:03AM1.48m | 3:02PM1.87m | 3:37AM1.29m | 3:53PM1.88m | 5:50AM1.24m | 4:47PM1.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:15AM0.16m | 6:12PM0.94m | 6:52AM0.36m | 7:18PM0.95m | 7:28AM0.58m | 8:36PM0.94m | 8:03AM0.79m | 10:06PM0.88m | 8:42AM0.98m | 11:35PM0.77m | 9:32AM1.13m | 00:43AM0.64m | |||||||
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | WSW 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 13 |
45 | 40 | 27 | 136 | 366 | 379 | 81 | 334 | 347 | 327 | 327 | 624 | 587 | 387 | 474 | 474 | 334 | 422 | 417 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | W 7 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
107 | 181 | 103 | 14 | 69 | 97 | 127 | 108 | 567 | 461 | 449 | 247 | 249 | 140 | 116 | 57 | 322 | 325 | 325 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 12 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 13 | S 13 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | W 5 | SSW 20 | W 14 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | WSW 6 |
125 | 74 | 83 | 25 | 13 | 7 | 44 | 166 | 42 | 42 | 4 | 75 | 16 | 120 | 82 | 35 | 35 | 17 | 64 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | W 4 | W 4 | — |
— | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 11 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 115 | 103 | 39 | 40 | 115 | 0 | 61 | 61 | 0 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 60 | 61 | 24 | 61 | 61 | 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.










