What is the current surf forecast for Ponto?
The current wave height at Ponto is 1-2ft with a 5.5s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph. Conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
Ponto Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California
Right nowPoor
1-2ft
Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on W swell at 6s with gentle SW breeze.
Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on W swell at 6s with gentle SW breeze.
Swell
2.5ft
6s · W
Wind
7mph
SW · Onshore
Water
74°F
Springsuit or none
Tide
Mid
rising · high 1:52 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 10 AM localWind: model · 10 AM localTide: forecast
Best window·Monday 6AM–9AM·3-4ft·Good
Registered at the buoy
Swell2.6ft @ 6s W
Groundswell2.1ft @ 11s SW
Steepness: average
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on W swell at 5s with light winds out of the SW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the W and dropping conditions to very poor.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 18s with light winds out of the E. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 13s with gentle N breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 8mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Fair - Good. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on S swell at 14s with gentle NNW breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Good. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 13s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Daily Forecast
Hourly Forecast
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor today — get one free email when Ponto turns Good.
Better right now nearby:SwamisFair2-3ft· point· 4 miCardiff ReefFair2-3ft· reef· 5 miSeaside ReefFair2-3ft· reef· 6 mi
Check Ponto from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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
(9)
Ponto Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)What is the breaking wave height at Ponto?
The current breaking wave height at Ponto is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.5ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 2.2ft SSW secondary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SW 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.
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 4ft waves, a 12.7s swell period, and conditions rated 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).