Moonlight Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
14.4s
Wind
9mph
S / Gusts 15mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.0ft @ 3sS
Secondary
1.0ft @ 11sSSW
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 14sSW
Nearest Webcam
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 311-2ft
Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
PoorPretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 7mph SW winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
12s SSW|4-7mph SE
Thu, Apr 23-4ft
FairSteady 1-2ft waves on offer on WSW swell at 6s — gentle NNW breeze.
6am9am12pm3pm
4s W|3-5mph E
Forecast Charts
Moonlight Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SSW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall
Moonlight Beach in Encinitas offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progressing as a surfer. The eastward-facing break catches Southern Hemisphere swell best during fall months, producing consistent, rolling waves that peel across the sandy bottom. Protected by the town's pier and rocky breakwater to the south, this spot provides a scenic setting with easy beach access and nearby amenities.
Pier pilingsRocks near southern endOccasional rip currents
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Moonlight Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Moonlight?
The current wave height at Moonlight is 1-2ft with a 14.4s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Moonlight surf forecast?
Our Moonlight 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 Moonlight?
The current breaking wave height at Moonlight is 1-2ft, produced by a 1ft S primary swell at 3s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 11s, a 0.7ft 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 Moonlight?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Moonlight is Thursday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 3ft waves, a 12.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.