The Rivermouth surfForecast / CAL – Santa Cruz / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Saturday 18 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
14.3° C
(Which is 2.1°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 Saturday (Apr 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s 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 The Rivermouth in the next 16 days are 1.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 23) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Sat 18th Apr)2ft (0.6m) 15s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 22nd Apr)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 21st Apr)5ft (1.5m) 12s

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 23mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
2
1
1
2
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.7
SSW
0.9
WNW
1.5
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.1
WNW
1
WNW
0.7
W
0.6
S
1.2
W
0.7
WNW
0.9
WNW
0.8
WNW
0.6
S
0.6
S
0.5
S
Period(s) (?)1514141413131314121211109189141313151514
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1671651581491411371542976194373142367822522520725719215515596
Wind
(km/h)
5
SW
10
W
0
SW
10
SSW
10
SW
5
SE
10
S
30
SSW
10
SSE
20
SSW
20
SW
5
WSW
0
SW
15
W
5
N
10
WSW
20
WNW
10
N
5
WSW
10
WNW
0
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscrossglasscross-
on
cross-
on
glassoncross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
glassglasscrossglasscross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
on
cross-
off
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:36PM
1.25
11:33PM
1.77
1:39PM
1.22
12:14AM
1.79
2:48PM
1.19
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:14PM
0.63
6:21AM
-0.41
5:55PM
0.77
7:14AM
-0.39
6:43PM
0.89
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
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Sunrise6:30--6:28--6:26--6:26--6:24--6:22--6:22--
Sunset-7:45--7:45--7:46--7:46--7:47--7:49--7:50-
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--------23424---------
Temp. °C171915161714161714141412131613141713152015
Feels °C (?)15161414141212111010991212812149131714
  • Map Icons:
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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 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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