San Diego County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Moonlight for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Moonlight, 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. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSW swell at 14s with calm winds. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor by then.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and gentle SSW breeze. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor by then.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on SSW swell at 16s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor by then.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 5s with barely a breath of wind. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor by then.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 15s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.
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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Moonlight is 1-2ft with a 14.25s swell period. Wind is W at 9mph 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 Moonlight is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.2ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1.1ft W 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 Moonlight is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Moonlight works best with a SSW swell and NE 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 Moonlight. 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.
Moonlight is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 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.
The prime season at Moonlight 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 Moonlight include pier pilings, rocks near southern end, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
