San Diego County, California
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.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on SSW swell at 13s with light winds out of the S. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on W swell at 8s with 9mph SSE winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Midday is the call — 4-5ft waves with light winds out of the SSW and fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on WSW swell at 7s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 13s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
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 3-4ft with a 15.2s swell period. Wind is S at 4mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Moonlight is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.4ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 0.7ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 15.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
