San Diego Surf Report
Current wave height, swell period, wind, and water temperature for the San Diego coast — plus which break actually works in these conditions.
Last updated
Conditions right now
Source: Open-Meteo marine and weather models for the San Diego coastline. Spot-level size varies — Blacks runs bigger, Oceanside Harbor and La Jolla Shores run smaller.
How to read today's numbers
Wave height above is significant height on the open coast — roughly the average of the biggest third of waves. Faces at the beach usually look a foot or two bigger than the number.
Period tells you the quality. Fourteen seconds and up is groundswell from a distant storm: lined up, powerful, and it wraps into reefs and points. Eight to ten seconds is local windswell, which is bumpy and short-interval but fine for learning.
Wind decides your window. Offshore (easterly) wind grooms the face and is typical before 9 AM. Once the sea breeze turns onshore from the west in early afternoon, most beach breaks go to junk — which is why San Diego surfing is a dawn habit.
Tide matters as much as swell here. Reef spots want water on them; beach breaks want a moving mid tide. Pull up the live tide table before you commit to a spot.
Where to surf in these conditions
Tourmaline Surfing Park
Pacific Beach · Beginner / longboard
Works on: Small to medium west or northwest swell, mid tide
Surf-only beach (no swimmers), soft rolling walls, and a big lot right on the sand. The friendliest place in the city to learn.
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla · Beginner
Works on: Almost anything under 4 ft
Sandy bottom, gentle peaks, and every surf school in the city meets here. Gets crowded and lessons dominate the inside.
Pacific Beach / Crystal Pier
Pacific Beach · Intermediate
Works on: West swell, morning offshore, medium tide
Punchy beach break with peaks up and down the pier. Best before 9 AM before the onshore wind kicks in.
Ocean Beach Jetty
Ocean Beach · Intermediate / advanced
Works on: South and combo swells, low to mid tide
Wedgy left off the jetty with a strong rip. Local crowd and heavy in size.
Windansea
La Jolla · Advanced
Works on: Northwest or south swell, mid to high tide
Shallow reef, steep drops, and a famously territorial lineup. Watch a set from the shack before paddling out.
Blacks Beach
Torrey Pines · Advanced
Works on: Northwest swell, any tide
The submarine canyon focuses swell, so Blacks is often double the size of everywhere else. The trail down is steep and the paddle out is long.
Swami's
Encinitas · Intermediate / advanced
Works on: Northwest swell, mid to high tide
Long, workable right-hand point over reef. The classic North County wave and the reason Encinitas is a surf town.
Cardiff Reef
Cardiff-by-the-Sea · All levels
Works on: Mixed swell, mid tide
Mellow rights and lefts with a good longboard shoulder. Parking is right across Coast Highway.
Oceanside Pier / Harbor
Oceanside · Beginner to intermediate
Works on: South swell in summer
The harbor jetty side is protected and cleaner on windy days. Good backup when everything else is blown out.
Imperial Beach
South Bay · Intermediate
Works on: South swell, summer
Real waves and small crowds, but check water-quality advisories after rain — Tijuana River runoff can close it.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the surf in San Diego today?
The live panel at the top of this page reads current significant wave height, swell period, wind, and water temperature from the Open-Meteo marine model for the San Diego coast. Add a couple of feet at Blacks Beach, which the La Jolla submarine canyon amplifies, and subtract at protected spots like Oceanside Harbor and La Jolla Shores.
What is a good swell period for San Diego?
Anything 14 seconds or longer is groundswell — organized, powerful, and worth planning around. Periods of 8–10 seconds are usually local windswell: choppier, weaker, and often better for beginners.
When is the surf best in San Diego?
Winter (November–March) brings northwest groundswell that lights up La Jolla, Blacks, and Swami's. Summer (June–September) brings south swell that favors Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, and Oceanside. Early morning is almost always cleanest, before the afternoon onshore wind.
Do I need a wetsuit to surf in San Diego?
Yes, most of the year. Water runs about 58–62°F in winter (4/3 fullsuit) and 66–72°F in late summer (springsuit or trunks in August–September). Check the live water temperature above before you pack.
Where should a beginner surf in San Diego?
Tourmaline Surfing Park in Pacific Beach and La Jolla Shores are the two best beginner spots — sandy bottom, gentle waves, easy parking, and surf schools on site. Avoid Windansea, Blacks, and the OB jetty until you can confidently duck-dive and control your board.
Is it safe to surf after it rains in San Diego?
Wait 72 hours. Urban runoff spikes bacteria at every beach after the first rain, and South Bay beaches near the Tijuana River can be closed for weeks. Check the county's beach and bay advisory line before paddling out south of Coronado.
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