Swell Intel

Carlsbad Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

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San Diego County, California

Tamarack0-1ftThe Rock1-2ftTerra Mar1-2+ft
Carlsbad surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
1-2+ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
14.4s
Wind
8mph
SSW / Gusts 13mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.0ft @ 11sS
Secondary
1.0ft @ 3sS
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 14sSW

Nearby Webcams

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 311-2ft
Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
Poor

Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light S winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
11s S|6-9mph WSW
Thu, Apr 22-3ft
Poor

Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate NNW wind around 7mph.

6am9am12pm3pm
6s WSW|4-8mph NNE
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Sat
3ft
Swell building Fri, Apr 3Fair

14s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Carlsbad Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SSW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

Carlsbad offers accessible sandy beach breaks with mellow, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to progress their skills. The consistent swell exposure and gradual beach bathymetry create forgiving conditions that work across a range of tide levels. This family-friendly stretch of San Diego County coastline provides a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of beach amenities and parking.

Crowded at peak timesOccasional rip currents

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Carlsbad Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Carlsbad?
The current wave height at Carlsbad is 1-2+ft with a 14.4s swell period. Wind is SSW at 8mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Carlsbad surf forecast?
Our Carlsbad 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.
What is the breaking wave height at Carlsbad?
The current breaking wave height at Carlsbad is 1-2+ft, produced by a 1ft S primary swell at 11s, a 1ft S secondary swell at 3s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 14s. 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 Carlsbad?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Carlsbad is Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 4ft waves, a 12.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.