Seaside Reef Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

San Diego County, California

Right nowPoorlive wind
2-3ft

Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on W swell at 6s with 9mph from the WSW.

Swell
2.3ft
6s · W
Wind
10mph
WSW · Onshore
Water
74°F
Springsuit or none
Tide
High
rising · high 1:52 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 12 PM localWind: observation · 1 min oldTide: forecast

Best window·Sunday 9AM12PM·6-8ft·Good

Registered at the buoy
Swell2.8ft @ 7s WNW
Groundswell1.7ft @ 11s SW
Groundswell1.0ft @ 15s WSW
Steepness: average

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.

Thu, Sep 3: 23ft, 6s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3+ft on W swell at 5s with moderate WSW wind around 9mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.

Fri, Sep 4: 45ft, 18s period, rated Good. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on SSW swell at 18s with 7mph E winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Sat, Sep 5: 56ft, 15s period, rated Fair - Good. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on S swell at 13s with gentle NNW breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Sun, Sep 6: 68ft, 14s period, rated Good. First light looks cleanest — 6-8ft on S swell at 14s with gentle NNW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the NW and dropping conditions to fair - good.

Mon, Sep 7: 67ft, 13s period, rated Fair - Good. Aim for the middle of the day — 6-7ft on SSW swell at 13s with 7mph from the WNW. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.

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Hourly Forecast

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Poor today — get one free email when Seaside Reef turns Good.

Better right now nearby:SwamisFair2-3ft· point· 2 mi
Forecasts here are checked against NOAA buoy San Clemente Basin (46086) 91 km away. Predictions are being recorded before each swell arrives; the predicted-vs-measured record publishes openly around September 9.How it works

Check Seaside Reef from the lineup

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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

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What is the current surf forecast for Seaside Reef?

The current wave height at Seaside Reef is 2-3ft with a 5.5s swell period. Wind is WSW at 10mph. Conditions are rated Poor. 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 2.3ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 2.1ft SSW secondary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SSW tertiary swell at 18s. 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 Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 6ft waves, a 14s swell period, and conditions rated 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. 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).