Swell Intel

Imperial Beach Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

San Diego County, California

Point Loma0-1ftSunset Cliffs0-1ftOcean beach1-2ft
Imperial Beach surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
14.3s
Wind
7mph
SSW / Gusts 10mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
0.9ft @ 4sS
Secondary
0.8ft @ 11sSSW
Tertiary
0.5ft @ 14sSW

Nearest Webcam

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 moderate SW wind around 9mph.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s SSW|6-9mph S
Thu, Apr 22-3ft
Poor

Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 9mph from the NNW.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s SSW|6-9mph NNW
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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

Imperial Beach Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SW
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall

Imperial Beach is a mellow, user-friendly beach break located at the southern tip of San Diego County, just north of the Mexican border. The sandy bottom produces forgiving, rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice fundamental skills. This spot picks up consistent swells from the southwest and south, with the added benefit of being sheltered from summer winds, making it a reliable option throughout the year.

Rip currentsCrowded peak areasNearby pier pilings

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

Imperial Beach Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Imperial Beach?
The current wave height at Imperial Beach is 1-2ft with a 14.3s swell period. Wind is SSW at 7mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Imperial Beach surf forecast?
Our Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Imperial Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.9ft S primary swell at 4s, a 0.8ft SSW secondary swell at 11s, a 0.5ft 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 Imperial Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Imperial Beach is Thursday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 3ft waves, a 12.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.