The Rivermouth surfForecast / CAL – Santa Cruz / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Monday 11 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
13.1° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 (May 12) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 16s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Sunday (May 17) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Tue 12th May)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 16th May)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful11PM (Sat 16th May)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NW by Sat afternoon).

Mon
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
2
1
0
3
1
2
2
1
3
3
3
1
4
3
2
3
1
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
SSW
16
1.2
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
1
WNW
12
0.9
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
12
1.7
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
9
1.9
WNW
9
1.8
WNW
9
2.3
WNW
9
2.2
WNW
9
2.3
WNW
9
2.5
WNW
9
3
WNW
10
2.4
WNW
10
2.5
WNW
10
2.3
WNW
10
1.9
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
366
319
325
373
186
293
210
887
631
442
619
561
883
830
903
1104
1855
1168
1281
1125
706
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
0
W
10
SW
10
WSW
5
N
10
W
30
NW
0
ENE
10
WSW
5
W
0
NE
5
SW
15
WNW
5
NNW
10
WNW
35
NW
10
NNW
10
NW
20
NW
0
E
5
SW
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
7:32PM1.32m
7:21AM1.04m
7:59PM1.44m
8:39AM1.06m
8:30PM1.56m
9:49AM1.12m
9:03PM1.69m
10:53AM1.18m
9:40PM1.80m
11:53AM1.23m
10:21PM1.87m
12:52PM1.26m
11:06PM1.90m
1:51PM1.27m
Low Tide
1:47AM0.40m
1:13PM0.26m
2:27AM0.14m
1:57PM0.37m
3:09AM-0.10m
2:39PM0.50m
3:51AM-0.32m
3:22PM0.63m
4:35AM-0.48m
4:07PM0.75m
5:22AM-0.56m
4:53PM0.85m
6:12AM-0.58m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:05
8:06
8:07
8:07
8:07
8:08
8:09
8:10
Temp °C
17
13
17
19
15
18
21
15
18
21
15
17
22
16
19
19
13
17
20
16
19
16
13
16
18
13
16
16
10
16
19
15
16
19
12
16
12
7
15
16
12
18
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
0.8
SSW
15
1.1
WNW
7
1
WNW
12
0.9
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
12
1.7
WNW
11
0.8
SSW
16
1.9
WNW
9
1.8
WNW
9
0.7
SSW
15
2.2
WNW
9
0.7
SSW
15
0.9
WNW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
2.3
WNW
10
1.9
WNW
10
Energy kJ
358
319
325
242
127
293
210
887
631
295
619
561
225
830
222
281
163
107
60
1125
706
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.2
S
13
0.9
WNW
11
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
W
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
16
0.1
S
12
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.4
WNW
16
0.5
SSW
15
0.6
WNW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
18
0.2
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
16
Energy kJ
366
212
242
14
164
163
171
102
298
3
273
252
89
135
167
165
7
6
30
58
87
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
12
0.2
S
14
0.1
S
11
0.2
S
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.2
S
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
12
0.1
S
10
0.2
WNW
18
0.1
S
10
0.5
WNW
15
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
20
0.1
SW
18
0.2
SSW
18
0.3
SSW
13
Energy kJ
3
16
3
15
186
13
102
104
11
11
2
31
2
126
2
7
7
12
31
34
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
NW
7
0.9
WNW
6
1.2
WNW
6
1.7
NW
7
1.7
WNW
9
2.3
WNW
9
3
NW
9
2.3
WNW
9
2.5
WNW
9
3
WNW
10
2.4
WNW
10
2.5
WNW
10
Energy kJ
373
149
53
81
301
442
883
1436
903
1104
1855
1168
1281
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
Distance (km)
38
0
2
2
0
2
4
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
346
0
0
2
0
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
3
2
1
4
2
2
3
2
3
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
2
3
2
2
4
3
2
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
8
9
8
9
4
8
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
5
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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