Cortez Bank surfForecast / CAL – San Diego County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Friday 08 May 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cortez Bank surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cortez Bank sea temperature is
16.7° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cortez Bank this week:

The surf forecast for Cortez Bank over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cortez Bank in the next 16 days are 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 12th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 12th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Most Powerful 8PM (Fri 8th May)6ft (1.9m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cortez Bank over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri morning, light winds from the NW by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
NW
7
1
WNW
11
1.9
NW
8
2.1
NW
9
1.9
NW
9
1.9
NW
8
0.9
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.3
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
12
1.2
WNW
12
1.1
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
266
265
434
628
572
497
443
576
402
487
387
456
411
411
372
317
247
347
446
399
505
Wind (km/h)
30
NW
35
NW
35
NW
30
NW
30
NW
30
NW
25
WNW
20
WNW
15
NW
10
W
10
W
10
WSW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
W
5
NW
15
W
20
NW
15
NW
25
NW
30
WNW
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
6:24PM1.38m
2:11AM1.56m
6:14PM1.46m
3:44AM1.50m
6:21PM1.56m
5:06AM1.48m
6:36PM1.70m
6:16AM1.48m
6:57PM1.86m
7:18AM1.50m
7:24PM2.03m
8:16AM1.51m
7:55PM2.19m
Low Tide
9:38AM0.54m
8:33PM1.37m
10:29AM0.54m
10:49PM1.27m
11:10AM0.55m
11:56PM1.09m
11:46AM0.57m
00:45AM0.87m
12:21PM0.61m
1:29AM0.62m
12:55PM0.67m
2:12AM0.37m
1:31PM0.74m
2:57AM0.16m
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:03
6:01
6:01
6:00
6:00
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:42
7:43
7:43
7:44
7:45
7:45
7:45
Temp °C
13
14
14
14
15
14
14
15
15
15
16
16
15
16
16
15
16
16
15
16
15
7
9
8
9
10
9
10
13
13
15
15
15
15
16
15
15
16
14
13
14
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
12
1
WNW
11
0.8
WNW
11
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
18
1.7
WNW
8
1.5
WNW
8
1.2
NW
8
1.4
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
12
1.2
WNW
12
1.1
SSW
15
Energy kJ
239
265
146
169
237
364
392
330
192
386
246
456
411
411
372
317
247
347
436
399
505
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.5
SSW
21
0.5
SSW
20
0.6
SSW
20
0.7
NW
14
0.9
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
1
WNW
11
Energy kJ
44
121
244
221
301
214
443
576
402
487
387
339
334
268
223
161
158
276
446
397
226
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSW
16
0.4
SW
13
0.4
NW
16
0.5
NW
16
0.6
WNW
15
0.4
SW
13
0.8
WNW
14
0.9
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
11
0.3
SSE
12
0.6
WNW
12
0.3
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
13
0.4
SSE
12
0.3
SSE
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.5
S
18
0.6
SSW
13
0.3
SSE
10
0.4
SSW
12
0.3
SSE
10
Energy kJ
53
44
69
124
158
46
232
261
133
27
93
22
57
51
33
106
158
118
20
59
20
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
NW
7
1.5
NW
7
1.9
NW
8
2.1
NW
9
1.9
NW
9
1.9
NW
8
0.4
NW
3
0.6
WNW
3
Energy kJ
266
235
434
628
572
497
4
8
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
Distance (km)
124
179
124
124
179
124
124
124
124
124
179
169
124
179
165
124
179
179
179
179
169
Best forecast wave conditions in San Diego County
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
4
2
2
4
4
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
9
4
4
9
5
9
9
5
9
8
6
9
6
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Cortez Bank Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cortez Bank provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cortez Bank can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cortez Bank surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Cortez Bank) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Cortez Bank may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Cortez Bank is 130 km (81 miles) from Catalina Island. If you plan a vacation in San Diego County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Catalina Island. Catalina Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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