Swell Intel

Old Man's at Tourmaline Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

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San Diego County, California

Pacific Beach1-2ftBirdrock1-2ftWindansea Beach1-2ft
Old Man's at Tourmaline surf spot

Current Conditions

Very Poor
Wave Height
0-1ft
flat to ankle high
Swell Period
14.35s
Wind
7mph
S / Gusts 12mph
Conditions
Very Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.0ft @ 3sS
Secondary
0.8ft @ 11sSSW
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 14sSW

Nearby Webcams

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 310-1ft
Very Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 10-1ft
Very Poor

Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light winds out of the SSW.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s SSW|4-8mph SSE
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
Poor

Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 8mph from the NW.

6am9am12pm3pm
8s WSW|7-9mph NW
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Sat
3ft
Swell building Fri, Apr 3Fair

8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Old Man's at Tourmaline Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
SSW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

Old Man's at Tourmaline is one of San Diego's most accessible and beginner-friendly beach breaks, located in the sheltered Pacific Beach area where consistent waves roll onto a sandy bottom. The spot's east-northeast facing aspect means it picks up south to southwest swell most effectively, with the best conditions arriving during fall and winter swells when the water is still warm from summer heat. Named for its reputation as a perfect introduction to surfing, this break attracts beginners, families, and older surfers looking for mellow, forgiving waves in a vibrant beach community atmosphere.

Heavy crowdsSwimmersRip currents on larger swells

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Old Man's at Tourmaline Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Old Man's at Tourmaline?
The current wave height at Old Man's at Tourmaline is 0-1ft with a 14.35s swell period. Wind is S at 7mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor.
How accurate is the Old Man's at Tourmaline surf forecast?
Our Old Man's at Tourmaline 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 Old Man's at Tourmaline?
The current breaking wave height at Old Man's at Tourmaline is 0-1ft, produced by a 1ft S primary swell at 3s, a 0.8ft 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 Old Man's at Tourmaline?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Old Man's at Tourmaline is Thursday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 3ft waves, a 12.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.