San Diego County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at North 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.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the WSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the WNW.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the WSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
North Del Mar is a mellow beach break that works well for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to escape the heavier crowds found elsewhere in San Diego County. The sandy beach face picks up south swells effectively while the easterly offshore winds during mornings provide clean, peeling waves across a wide stretch of coastline. With easy paddling access and forgiving wave shape, this northern section of Del Mar offers a relaxed vibe perfect for progression.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at North Del Mar is 1-2ft with a 17.6s swell period. Wind is WSW at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at North Del Mar is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.5ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 1.4ft W secondary swell at 6s, a 0.7ft S tertiary swell at 13s. 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 North Del Mar is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 14.3s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
North Del Mar works best with a S 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 North 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.
North Del Mar is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. North Del Mar is a mellow beach break that works well for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to escape the heavier crowds found elsewhere in San Diego County. The sandy beach face picks up south swells effectively while the easterly offshore winds during mornings provide clean, peeling waves across a wide stretch of coastline. With easy paddling access and forgiving wave shape, this northern section of Del Mar offers a relaxed vibe perfect for progression.
The prime season at North 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 North Del Mar include rip currents, strong shore break during high swell. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our North 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
