The Rivermouth surfForecast / CAL – Santa Cruz / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Tuesday 19 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 Wednesday (May 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 20) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (May 26) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 20th May)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 20th May)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 5AM (Wed 20th May)5ft (1.5m) 13s

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. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tue
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
13
1.5
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
17
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
246
711
508
550
460
328
275
245
204
168
223
223
223
217
252
186
362
459
445
348
463
Wind (km/h)
0
NW
10
WSW
10
SW
0
SSE
10
SW
10
SW
0
SE
10
SSW
10
SSW
5
SSW
10
SSW
10
SW
0
NE
10
SW
15
SW
5
NW
10
SW
15
SW
5
NNW
15
W
30
WNW
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
00:48AM1.78m
3:50PM1.28m
1:46AM1.64m
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
Low Tide
8:01AM-0.43m
8:03PM0.96m
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
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:12
8:13
8:13
8:14
8:15
8:15
8:15
8:16
Temp °C
18
20
21
13
17
19
13
16
17
13
15
16
13
14
17
13
15
17
13
15
18
17
17
18
12
15
17
12
14
15
12
13
14
11
12
14
11
13
14
11
11
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
1
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
8
0.8
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
10
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
17
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
Energy kJ
221
711
508
550
460
328
275
245
204
168
184
66
109
81
252
186
362
459
445
348
463
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
13
0.4
S
14
0.4
SW
16
0.4
S
13
0.4
SSW
19
0.5
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.6
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
WNW
9
0.6
WNW
15
0.7
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
12
0.6
WNW
12
0.2
S
9
Energy kJ
246
57
62
55
148
113
54
207
120
148
223
223
223
217
75
167
158
215
164
94
7
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
S
14
0.4
SW
16
0.4
S
13
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
12
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SW
14
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
12
0.6
WNW
10
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
11
0.4
WNW
16
0.6
WNW
9
0.4
WNW
9
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.1
S
10
Energy kJ
61
65
56
57
59
50
48
82
53
27
25
64
25
22
102
56
31
8
7
8
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
3
1.1
WNW
7
1.6
WNW
8
Energy kJ
3
113
343
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
2
4
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
Distance (km)
0
2
2
0
103
323
0
38
38
5
38
2
0
103
2
0
103
2
0
0
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
3
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
3
3
4
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
3
4
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
5
5
7
6
5
5
8
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
  • 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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