What is the current surf forecast for Beacons?
The current wave height at Beacons is 1-2ft with a 5.5s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph. Conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
Beacons Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California
Right nowPoor
1-2ft
Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on W swell at 6s and gentle SW breeze.
Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on W swell at 6s and gentle SW breeze.
Swell
2.5ft
6s · W
Wind
7mph
SW · Onshore
Water
74°F
Springsuit or none
Tide
Mid
rising · high 1:00 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 10 AM localWind: model · 10 AM localTide: forecast
Best window·Monday 6AM–9AM·3-4ft·Good
Registered at the buoy
Swell2.5ft @ 6s W
Groundswell2.0ft @ 11s SW
Steepness: average
Beacons 5-Day Forecast Summary
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Beacons, San Diego County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on W swell at 5s with light SW winds. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and very poor by then.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 18s with gentle E breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 13s and gentle N breeze. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on S swell at 14s with light winds out of the NNW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Good. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 13s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Daily Forecast
Hourly Forecast
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor today — get one free email when Beacons turns Good.
Better right now nearby:SwamisFair2-3ft· point· 2 miSeaside ReefFair2-3+ft· reef· 5 miPipesFair2-3+ft· reef· 3 mi
Check Beacons from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Beacons Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SW
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall
Beacons is a mellow beach break located in San Diego County that offers accessible, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface and the ENE-facing beach orientation captures most Pacific swells while remaining protected from westerly winds. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when Southern California sees consistent energy, making it a reliable local favorite for progression and fun sessions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Beacons Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)
Beacons Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)What is the breaking wave height at Beacons?
The current breaking wave height at Beacons is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.5ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 2.2ft SSW secondary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SW tertiary swell at 16s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf Beacons?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Beacons is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 12.7s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
What swell and wind direction work best at Beacons?
Beacons works best with a SW swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
What tide is best at Beacons?
Tide plays a big role at Beacons. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
What kind of wave is Beacons and who is it for?
Beacons is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Beacons is a mellow beach break located in San Diego County that offers accessible, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface and the ENE-facing beach orientation captures most Pacific swells while remaining protected from westerly winds. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when Southern California sees consistent energy, making it a reliable local favorite for progression and fun sessions.
When is the best season to surf Beacons?
The prime season at Beacons is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Are there any hazards to know about at Beacons?
Every surf spot has its own hazards — rocks, rip currents, crowds, marine life, or changing tides. Before paddling out at Beacons, watch the break for 10–15 minutes, talk to locals when you can, and never surf beyond your ability level.
How accurate is the Beacons surf forecast?
Our Beacons forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable; extended forecasts show general trends. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).