San Diego County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Carlsbad, 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.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SSW swell at 18s with moderate W wind around 8mph — nothing amazing but surfable.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SSW swell at 16s with gentle WNW breeze — nothing amazing but surfable.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 15s with light winds out of the SW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Carlsbad offers accessible sandy beach breaks with mellow, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to progress their skills. The consistent swell exposure and gradual beach bathymetry create forgiving conditions that work across a range of tide levels. This family-friendly stretch of San Diego County coastline provides a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of beach amenities and parking.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Carlsbad is 2-3ft with a 17.65s swell period. Wind is W at 8mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Carlsbad is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.6ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 1.2ft W secondary swell at 6s, a 0.8ft S 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Carlsbad is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 14.35s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Carlsbad works best with a SSW 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.
Tide plays a big role at Carlsbad. 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.
Carlsbad is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Carlsbad offers accessible sandy beach breaks with mellow, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to progress their skills. The consistent swell exposure and gradual beach bathymetry create forgiving conditions that work across a range of tide levels. This family-friendly stretch of San Diego County coastline provides a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of beach amenities and parking.
The prime season at Carlsbad 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.
Common hazards at Carlsbad include crowded at peak times, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Carlsbad 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.
