The Rivermouth surfForecast / CAL – Santa Cruz / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Monday 20 Apr 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Rivermouth surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Rivermouth sea temperature is
14.0° C
(Which is 1.9°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Rivermouth this week:

The surf forecast for The Rivermouth over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Rivermouth in the next 16 days are 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 23) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 21st Apr)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 22nd Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Most Powerful 5PM (Tue 21st Apr)6ft (1.8m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Rivermouth over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Mon
27
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.6
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.8
W
1.4
W
1
WSW
1.3
W
1.1
W
0.7
WNW
1.3
WNW
0.8
WNW
0.6
S
0.6
S
0.5
S
0.5
W
0.5
W
0.6
W
0.7
W
0.8
WNW
0.8
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.6
WNW
Period(s) (?)121211108991413131515141514161614141313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)69248683441811929517720756319215515597104103181236276269178135
Wind
(km/h)
15
S
25
SSW
25
WSW
5
WNW
10
SSE
10
SW
10
N
5
WSW
15
WNW
5
NW
5
WSW
15
WSW
5
WSW
15
SSW
15
SW
0
E
10
SSW
15
W
10
N
5
S
15
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
ononcross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
offglasscross-
off
glasscross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
glassoncrossoffglasscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:02AM
1.76
4:06PM
1.18
1:59AM
1.67
5:27PM
1.20
3:05AM
1.55
6:33PM
1.25
4:22AM
1.42
7:23PM
1.32
5:47AM
1.31
8:02PM
1.38
7:10AM
1.23
8:37PM
1.43
8:25AM
1.19
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:13AM
-0.33
7:48PM
0.98
9:20AM
-0.24
9:27PM
1.00
10:32AM
-0.16
11:11PM
0.91
11:42AM
-0.09
12:32AM
0.73
12:43PM
-0.03
1:36AM
0.52
1:34PM
0.05
2:29AM
0.30
2:19PM
0.14
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Mon
27
Sunrise-6:26--6:24--6:22--6:22--6:20--6:20--6:18-
Sunset--7:46--7:47--7:49--7:50--7:51--7:52--7:52
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
20331-----------------
Temp. °C131414121315131417151416121314131415131416
Feels °C (?)1299911121212141312139910111212101212
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Quick surf report for The Rivermouth:

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Information about the The Rivermouth Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Rivermouth provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Rivermouth can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Rivermouth 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 (The Rivermouth) 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 The Rivermouth 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.

The Rivermouth is 2 km (1 miles) from Santa Cruz. If you plan a vacation in Santa Cruz, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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