San Diego County, California
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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 13s with light S winds. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on WSW swell at 8s with 10mph S winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 13s with 7mph from the SSE. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle NW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the NW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
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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 2-3ft with a 13s 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 Imperial Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 0.6ft WSW secondary swell at 5s, a 0.3ft W tertiary swell at 9s. 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 Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 12.7s 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
