San Diego County, California
Best window·Friday 6AM–9AM·3ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Imperial Beach, 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: 4–6ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-6ft waves on SW swell at 14s with glassy conditions. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, Jun 25: 4–6ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-6ft waves on SSW swell at 16s with gentle NNW breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–5ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-5ft on SSW swell at 14s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-5ft on SSW swell at 14s with gentle SW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, Jun 28: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on SSW swell at 16s and light winds out of the W. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Imperial Beach is a mellow, user-friendly beach break located at the southern tip of San Diego County, just north of the Mexican border. The sandy bottom produces forgiving, rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice fundamental skills. This spot picks up consistent swells from the southwest and south, with the added benefit of being sheltered from summer winds, making it a reliable option throughout the year.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Imperial Beach is 3-5+ft with a 16.8s swell period. Wind is NW at 7mph 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 Imperial Beach is 3-5+ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 0.6ft 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 Imperial Beach is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 14.05s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Imperial Beach works best with a SW 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 Imperial Beach. 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.
Imperial Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Imperial Beach is a mellow, user-friendly beach break located at the southern tip of San Diego County, just north of the Mexican border. The sandy bottom produces forgiving, rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice fundamental skills. This spot picks up consistent swells from the southwest and south, with the added benefit of being sheltered from summer winds, making it a reliable option throughout the year.
The prime season at Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach include rip currents, crowded peak areas, nearby pier pilings. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Imperial Beach 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.
