Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.40° N 119.12° W

Cortez Bank Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 15 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cortez Bank sea temperature is
20.5°C
2.2° 

Cortez Bank surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cortez Bank surf forecast from 16 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 16 Oct, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 19s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 21 Oct, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, NW swell with 1,609 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 16 Oct, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 19s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cortez Bank this week:

The surf forecast for Cortez Bank over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Oct 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cortez Bank in the next 16 days are 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 21) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Oct 16) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 16th Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 19s
Best Surf11PM (Fri 16th Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 19s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 21st Oct)7ft (2.2m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cortez Bank over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Fri morning, light winds from the W by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
4
4
3
3
1
1
0
0
0
3
2
4
2
3
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
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
20
0.9
SSW
20
1.1
SSW
18
1.3
SSW
18
1.3
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
15
1.9
NW
12
1.4
SSW
16
1.9
NW
12
1.6
NW
12
1.2
SSW
14
1.9
NW
14
2.2
NW
13
2.2
WNW
12
1.9
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
400
544
671
729
1038
992
870
838
962
522
913
906
1010
683
565
1418
1609
1384
862
Wind (km/h)
20
N
30
NE
20
NE
20
NE
10
E
10
SE
10
W
10
W
15
WNW
20
NW
20
NW
25
NW
20
NW
10
W
15
WSW
10
E
20
S
10
S
10
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
off
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
12:19PM1.70m
1:26PM1.60m
7:31AM1.39m
3:14PM1.54m
7:09AM1.45m
4:44PM1.55m
7:13AM1.52m
5:47PM1.58m
7:22AM1.62m
6:38PM1.62m
Low Tide
9:15PM0.60m
10:35PM0.59m
9:49AM1.37m
11:31PM0.56m
11:36AM1.26m
00:09AM0.52m
12:24PM1.12m
00:39AM0.51m
1:01PM0.94m
1:06AM0.52m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
7:00
—
—
7:01
—
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7:01
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7:01
—
—
7:03
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—
7:03
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
—
6:22
—
—
6:21
—
—
6:20
—
—
6:19
—
—
6:17
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—
6:16
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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—
—
—
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—
—
4
—
2
Temp °C
28
26
29
29
25
25
24
22
22
20
18
18
18
17
17
17
18
20
19
Feels °C
24
20
25
23
22
22
23
23
21
18
16
15
15
15
16
15
15
20
19
  • 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 Cortez Bank Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cortez Bank provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cortez Bank can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cortez Bank 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 (Cortez Bank) 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 Cortez Bank 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.

Cortez Bank is 130 km (81 miles) from Catalina Island. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Catalina Island. Catalina Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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