San Diego County, California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Del Mar, 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.
Wed, Jun 24: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 4mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Thu, Jun 25: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 16s with light winds out of the NW. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 6s with moderate SSW wind around 8mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on W swell at 6s with gentle SW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Del Mar's sandy beach breaks offer mellow, rolling waves ideal for surfers just getting their feet wet, with the easterly offshore winds creating clean, peeling conditions during morning sessions. The wide, sandy bottom provides a forgiving learning environment with multiple peaks spreading surfers across the beach, reducing congestion. This picturesque North County spot benefits from Southern Hemisphere swells in fall and winter while maintaining the accessibility that makes it perfect for beginners and families.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Del Mar is 2-4ft with a 16.65s swell period. Wind is WNW at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Del Mar is 2-4ft, produced by a 1.8ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 1.4ft SSW secondary swell at 13s, a 0.9ft W wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Del Mar is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 15.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Del Mar works best with a SSW 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.
Tide plays a big role at Del Mar. 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.
Del Mar is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Del Mar's sandy beach breaks offer mellow, rolling waves ideal for surfers just getting their feet wet, with the easterly offshore winds creating clean, peeling conditions during morning sessions. The wide, sandy bottom provides a forgiving learning environment with multiple peaks spreading surfers across the beach, reducing congestion. This picturesque North County spot benefits from Southern Hemisphere swells in fall and winter while maintaining the accessibility that makes it perfect for beginners and families.
The prime season at Del Mar 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 Del Mar include beach break shorebreak, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Del Mar 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
