Swell Intel

Ponto Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

San Diego County, California

Ponto surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair
Wave Height
3-4ft
waist to chest high
Swell Period
14.7s
Wind
5mph
S / Gusts 6mph
Conditions
Fair
Active Swells
Primary
1.6ft @ 10sW
Secondary
1.4ft @ 15sSSW
Tertiary
1.1ft @ 12sS

Ponto 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ponto, 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: 34ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 10s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.

Sun, May 17: 45ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on W swell at 9s with moderate SSE wind around 11mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.

Mon, May 18: 34ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on WSW swell at 8s with 8mph SSE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.

Tue, May 19: 12ft, 15s period, rated Poor. 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 - fair.

Wed, May 20: 23ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on S swell at 13s with calm winds. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.

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Forecast Charts

Ponto Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

Ponto is a sandy beach break located in central San Diego County that offers mellow, fun waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The break faces ENE and picks up south swells effectively, creating peaky, forgiving waves that work well throughout the year. The sandy bottom provides a soft landing and natural progression for learning surfers, making it a popular local favorite.

Shorebreak at high tideOccasional rip currents

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

Ponto Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Ponto?

The current wave height at Ponto is 3-4ft with a 14.7s swell period. Wind is S at 5mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Ponto?

The current breaking wave height at Ponto is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.6ft W primary swell at 10s, a 1.4ft SSW secondary swell at 15s, a 1.1ft S tertiary swell at 12s. 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 Ponto?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Ponto is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 12.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Ponto?

Ponto works best with a S 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.

What tide is best at Ponto?

Tide plays a big role at Ponto. 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.

What kind of wave is Ponto and who is it for?

Ponto is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ponto is a sandy beach break located in central San Diego County that offers mellow, fun waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The break faces ENE and picks up south swells effectively, creating peaky, forgiving waves that work well throughout the year. The sandy bottom provides a soft landing and natural progression for learning surfers, making it a popular local favorite.

When is the best season to surf Ponto?

The prime season at Ponto 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Ponto?

Common hazards at Ponto include shorebreak at high tide, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Ponto surf forecast?

Our Ponto 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.