
Surf Forecasts:
Tippers surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 21s period, SW swell with 1,051 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tippers this week:
The surf forecast for Tippers over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tippers in the next 16 days are 1.1m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tippers over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, looking at a mixed bag of a forecast for Tippers. We’ve got some swell on the way, but it’s a tale of two halves: the next week is mostly marginal, with a promising run of building, cleaner swell in the back half that has my attention.
Right off the bat, the water is sitting at a very unusual 73°, which is a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like you’re in a tropical bath.
The first week is a bit of a grind. From Saturday the 18th of July through to about Friday the 24th, the surf is small and the conditions are messy. The wind is blowing straight onshore from the WSW, making it tough to get a clean wave. The swell is a mix of SW and SSW, but the quality is poor. You’ll see waves around 3 ft to 4 ft, but with that onshore wind, it’s a real struggle. Energy levels are moderate, ranging from (476) to (898), but the “poor surf conditions” tag says it all. There’s a tiny glimmer on Sunday morning the 19th and Monday morning the 20th with a light breeze, but the tide is likely messing with it. Honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for.
Now, the back half of the forecast is where it gets interesting. From Saturday the 25th of July, we start to see some real groundswell building. The period jumps up to 21 seconds, which is a very long period swell, perfect for a reef break like Tippers. The swell direction is SSW, which is spot-on for the optimum SW direction. The wind flips to a light, clean offshore from the WSW.
The standout window is Monday the 27th of July through Wednesday the 29th. The swell is holding steady at 4 ft to 4 ft from the SSW, with a period of 17 to 19 seconds and very strong wave energy (1278 to 1367). The wind is light and offshore, which means clean, glassy waves. For a reef break, this is going to be pumping. The sets will be long and clean, and the better shape will make it a joy to surf. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so expect a few others out there, but it’s well worth it.
This is easily the best on offer. The swell size is perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers, not too big, but with plenty of punch. The long period (19 seconds) is a genuine groundswell, and it’s coming from the right direction. The water will still be warm, and the light offshore wind will keep the faces clean. If you’re going to pick a session, this is it.
After that, the swell drops back down, and by the end of the first week of August, we’re back to small, weak, and poor conditions. The energy drops to (312) and the period falls to 8 seconds, which is weak and short. Not worth it.
So, overall, hang tight for the first week, but the end of July is looking like a real treat. Keep an eye on that window from Monday the 27th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | SW 21 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
366 | 379 | 127 | 350 | 424 | 487 | 344 | 367 | 412 | 817 | 559 | 551 | 437 | 431 | 316 | 299 | 414 | 273 | 563 | 368 | 664 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:30PM1.84m | 00:58AM1.74m | 2:14PM1.86m | 2:02AM1.48m | 3:01PM1.87m | 3:36AM1.29m | 3:52PM1.88m | 5:49AM1.24m | 4:47PM1.90m | 7:36AM1.30m | 5:40PM1.94m | 8:29AM1.38m | 6:30PM2.00m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:17PM0.95m | 7:27AM0.58m | 8:34PM0.94m | 8:03AM0.79m | 10:05PM0.88m | 8:41AM0.98m | 11:34PM0.77m | 9:31AM1.13m | 00:42AM0.64m | 10:46AM1.22m | 1:31AM0.51m | 11:59AM1.25m | 2:10AM0.41m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 12 | SSW 15 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 7 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 13 |
366 | 379 | 110 | 350 | 403 | 487 | 240 | 242 | 412 | 817 | 559 | 551 | 437 | 431 | 60 | 72 | 414 | 273 | 299 | 260 | 444 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 11 | SW 15 | SW 16 | S 10 | WNW 5 | S 9 | S 8 | W 6 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 26 | W 6 | SW 24 | W 6 | SW 21 |
98 | 96 | 127 | 143 | 424 | 229 | 344 | 367 | 94 | 10 | 57 | 34 | 38 | 81 | 316 | 299 | 171 | 39 | 563 | 33 | 664 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | S 13 | S 13 | W 6 | W 5 | WNW 5 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 14 | SSE 12 | W 5 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 6 | SW 13 | W 6 | SSW 24 | W 6 |
12 | 12 | 56 | 202 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 35 | 172 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 33 | 9 | 173 | 151 | 8 | 84 | 36 | 368 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 8 | — | — | 36 | — | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 39 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 39 | 38 | 12 | 39 | 38 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 135 | 39 | 12 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tippers Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tippers provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tippers can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tippers 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 (Tippers) 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 Tippers 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.
Tippers is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Encinitas. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Encinitas. Encinitas has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










