Swell Intel

Carlsbad Surf Forecast

Live

San Diego County, California

Carlsbad surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair
Wave Height
2-3ft
waist to chest high
Swell Period
15.6s
Wind
1mph
E / Gusts 1mph
Conditions
Fair
Active Swells
Primary
1.2ft @ 16sSW
Secondary
0.7ft @ 11sSSW
Tertiary
0.5ft @ 2sW

Never miss a good day at Carlsbad

Sign up free to save favorites, set surf alerts, and get extended forecasts.

Sign Up Free

Nearby Webcams

Spot Guide

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

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.

Crowded at peak timesOccasional rip currents

Forecast Charts

Daily Forecast

Thu, Mar 26Fair

Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SW swell at 16s — glassy conditions.

6am9am12pm3pm
16s SW|Calm
Fri, Mar 27Fair

Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SSW swell at 15s — calm winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
14s SSW|Calm
Sat, Mar 28Fair

Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and calm winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
14s SSW|Calm
Sun, Mar 29Fair

Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on W swell at 4s with glassy conditions. It gets a bit messier later in the day.

6am9am12pm3pm
5s W|Calm
Mon, Mar 30Poor

Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind.

6am9am12pm3pm
12s SSW|Calm

Unlock the full forecast

Sign Up

Carlsbad Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Carlsbad?
The current wave height at Carlsbad is 2-3ft with a 15.6s swell period. Wind is E at 1mph. Conditions are rated Fair.
How accurate is the Carlsbad surf forecast?
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.