San Diego County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Del Mar for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSW swell at 14s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 14s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor by then.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on W swell at 5s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 15s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.
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 2ft with a 13.8s swell period. Wind is SSW at 3mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Del Mar is 2ft, produced by a 1.3ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1ft WSW secondary swell at 5s, a 0.7ft S tertiary swell at 10s. 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 Thursday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 3ft waves, a 15.45s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
