
Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 16th Oct) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 16th Oct) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 21st Oct) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cortez Bank over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly 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 SummaryLight 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NW 12 | SSW 16 | NW 12 | NW 12 | SSW 14 | NW 14 | NW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
400 | 544 | 671 | 729 | 1038 | 992 | 870 | 838 | 962 | 522 | 913 | 906 | 1010 | 683 | 565 | 1418 | 1609 | 1384 | 862 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | |||||||||
— | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 14 | NW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
400 | 389 | 671 | 729 | 1038 | 992 | 870 | 838 | 962 | 436 | 883 | 906 | 734 | 683 | 447 | 1418 | 1609 | 1384 | 862 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 13 | NW 13 | SSW 14 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 13 | WNW 12 | NW 13 | SSW 15 | NW 18 | WNW 18 | WNW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 |
342 | 234 | 294 | 169 | 161 | 172 | 202 | 268 | 464 | 522 | 80 | 31 | 102 | 573 | 565 | 613 | 346 | 536 | 573 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | NW 12 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 19 | SSW 12 | S 18 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | NW 16 | NW 16 | SSW 22 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | S 19 |
260 | 544 | 220 | 207 | 165 | 133 | 92 | 273 | 57 | 390 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 65 | 236 | 45 | 214 | 298 | 273 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
35 | 41 | 67 | 54 | 14 | — | — | — | — | 147 | 913 | 851 | 1010 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 163 | 163 | 124 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 124 | 172 | 184 | 171 | 124 | 179 | 175 | 169 | 179 | 0 | 169 | 124 | 124 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










