San Diego County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at North Del Mar for the cleanest windows.
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and glassy conditions. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 4mph and poor by then.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSW swell at 16s with light NW winds. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor by then.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSW swell at 14s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on W swell at 5s with moderate SSW wind around 8mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on WSW swell at 9s with light winds out of the SW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor.
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 2ft with a 16.85s 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 North Del Mar is 2ft, produced by a 1.9ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1.6ft SSW secondary swell at 17s. 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 Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 16.85s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
