San Diego County, California
Aim for the middle of the day — 1-2ft on SW swell at 10s with moderate W wind around 12mph.
Aim for the middle of the day — 1-2ft on SW swell at 10s with moderate W wind around 12mph.
Best window·Sunday 9AM–12PM·3-4ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Imperial Beach, 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, 12s period, rated Very Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SW swell at 11s and 11mph W winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 17s with light NW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with gentle WNW breeze and fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Fair - Good. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSW swell at 14s with light NNW winds. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and very poor by then.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 12s with 7mph from the NW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Imperial Beach turns Good.
Check Imperial Beach from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Imperial Beach is 1-2ft with a 10.2s swell period. Wind is W at 11mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Imperial Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.4ft SW primary swell at 10s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 15s, a 0.9ft W wind swell swell at 5s, a 0.9ft SW tertiary swell at 17s. 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 Imperial Beach is Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 13.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Imperial Beach 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.
Tide plays a big role at Imperial Beach. 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.
Imperial Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 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.
The prime season at Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach include rip currents, crowded peak areas, nearby pier pilings. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
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. 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).
