The Rivermouth surfForecast / CAL – Santa Cruz / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Thursday 21 May 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
11.9° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 Thursday (May 21) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Rivermouth in the next 16 days are 2.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 28) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 12s period and expected on Tuesday (May 26) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 21st May)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 26th May)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 28th May)7ft (2.1m) 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

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
0.6
SSW
18
1
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
17
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.8
WNW
10
2.1
WNW
11
2
WNW
11
2.1
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
404
404
275
207
204
151
223
223
223
164
138
186
362
459
445
348
429
666
1027
904
1054
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
SW
0
SSE
10
SSW
15
SSW
5
S
10
SSW
10
SW
5
SSW
10
SSW
15
SW
0
WSW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
N
15
W
15
W
0
NNE
10
SSW
10
WSW
0
ESE
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
4:48PM1.31m
2:51AM1.46m
5:40PM1.35m
4:06AM1.27m
6:26PM1.41m
5:31AM1.11m
7:06PM1.47m
7:06AM1.01m
7:42PM1.52m
8:34AM1.00m
8:13PM1.56m
9:48AM1.03m
8:42PM1.58m
Low Tide
9:00AM-0.30m
9:34PM0.89m
10:00AM-0.17m
11:03PM0.75m
10:59AM-0.02m
00:19AM0.55m
11:54AM0.13m
1:22AM0.34m
12:45PM0.28m
2:15AM0.15m
1:33PM0.43m
3:01AM-0.01m
2:18PM0.58m
3:40AM-0.12m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:13
8:14
8:15
8:15
8:15
8:16
8:17
Temp °C
18
19
14
15
16
13
15
16
13
14
16
13
15
16
14
16
18
15
17
20
14
17
17
13
13
13
12
13
14
11
12
13
11
13
13
13
13
14
13
15
18
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
1
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
10
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
WNW
9
0.7
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
17
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.8
WNW
10
2.1
WNW
11
2
WNW
11
2.1
WNW
11
Energy kJ
404
404
275
204
204
151
172
132
109
164
75
186
362
459
445
348
429
666
1027
904
1054
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
19
0.5
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.6
SSW
18
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.6
WNW
10
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
WNW
15
0.7
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
13
0.9
WNW
12
0.7
WNW
12
0.9
WNW
12
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
Energy kJ
148
113
54
207
106
148
223
223
223
61
138
167
156
192
226
125
239
318
236
236
175
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
15
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
12
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
18
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
12
0.4
WNW
6
0.4
SSW
17
0.6
WNW
9
0.5
WNW
9
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.4
WNW
21
Energy kJ
59
50
48
82
123
27
25
24
25
12
116
55
47
8
7
7
7
2
2
2
151
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
3
0.2
S
3
0.4
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
6
1.1
WNW
7
Energy kJ
1
1
29
47
113
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
3
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
3
3
3
Distance (km)
2
144
0
38
38
3
38
125
0
38
219
0
346
2
0
2
2
0
103
2
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
3
1
2
3
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
2
3
2
3
2
2
3
3
3
2
1
3
2
2
4
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
6
5
6
8
5
5
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
9
8
9
  • 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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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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