Swell Intel

Seaside Reef Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

San Diego County, California

Seaside Reef surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair
Wave Height
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
15.2s
Wind
4mph
S / Gusts 6mph
Conditions
Fair
Active Swells
Primary
1.7ft @ 13sSSW
Secondary
1.4ft @ 10sW
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 16sSSW

Seaside Reef 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Seaside Reef, 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: 23ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 13s with gentle S breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.

Sun, May 17: 34ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 8s with 9mph from the SSE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to poor.

Mon, May 18: 34ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on WSW swell at 8s and 7mph from the SSE. 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. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on WSW swell at 7s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor.

Wed, May 20: 12ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.

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Daily Forecast

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Forecast Charts

Seaside Reef Surf Spot Guide

Break
Reef
Bottom
Rock
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
E
Season
Winter

Seaside Reef is a left-dominant reef break in the Cardiff/Solana Beach corridor where local pros like Rob Machado are commonly found in the lineup. WNW to NW swells produce the most consistent, longest rides. Low tide creates the most hollow conditions — the left can suck out on the takeoff at extreme lows. The competitive lineup rewards experience and positioning.

Rock reef bottomShallow at low tideCompetitive crowdSea urchins

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

Seaside Reef Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Seaside Reef?

The current wave height at Seaside Reef is 2-3ft with a 15.2s swell period. Wind is S at 4mph 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 Seaside Reef?

The current breaking wave height at Seaside Reef is 2-3ft, 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.

When is the best time to surf Seaside Reef?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Seaside Reef is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 12.65s 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 Seaside Reef?

Seaside Reef works best with a NW swell and E 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 Seaside Reef?

Tide plays a big role at Seaside Reef. 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 Seaside Reef and who is it for?

Seaside Reef is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Seaside Reef is a left-dominant reef break in the Cardiff/Solana Beach corridor where local pros like Rob Machado are commonly found in the lineup. WNW to NW swells produce the most consistent, longest rides. Low tide creates the most hollow conditions — the left can suck out on the takeoff at extreme lows. The competitive lineup rewards experience and positioning.

When is the best season to surf Seaside Reef?

The prime season at Seaside Reef is winter, 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 Seaside Reef?

Common hazards at Seaside Reef include rock reef bottom, shallow at low tide, competitive crowd, sea urchins. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Seaside Reef surf forecast?

Our Seaside Reef 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.