San Diego County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Del Mar, 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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 13s with light winds out of the S. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 8s and moderate SSE wind around 9mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WSW swell at 8s with moderate SSE wind around 7mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 13s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor by then.
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Del Mar's sandy beach breaks offer mellow, rolling waves ideal for surfers just getting their feet wet, with the easterly offshore winds creating clean, peeling conditions during morning sessions. The wide, sandy bottom provides a forgiving learning environment with multiple peaks spreading surfers across the beach, reducing congestion. This picturesque North County spot benefits from Southern Hemisphere swells in fall and winter while maintaining the accessibility that makes it perfect for beginners and families.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Del Mar is 2-3ft with a 15.2s swell period. Wind is S at 4mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Del Mar is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.4ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 0.7ft SSW 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Del Mar is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 12.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Del Mar works best with a SSW 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.
Tide plays a big role at Del Mar. 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.
Del Mar is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Del Mar's sandy beach breaks offer mellow, rolling waves ideal for surfers just getting their feet wet, with the easterly offshore winds creating clean, peeling conditions during morning sessions. The wide, sandy bottom provides a forgiving learning environment with multiple peaks spreading surfers across the beach, reducing congestion. This picturesque North County spot benefits from Southern Hemisphere swells in fall and winter while maintaining the accessibility that makes it perfect for beginners and families.
The prime season at Del Mar 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.
Common hazards at Del Mar include beach break shorebreak, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Del Mar 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
