What's the best tide for surfing in Encinitas?

Tide preferences vary by spot in Encinitas. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.

How do tides affect surfing conditions in Encinitas?

Tides significantly impact surf conditions in Encinitas. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.

Where can I check tide charts for Encinitas?

You can check tide charts for Encinitas on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.

Tide conditions for Encinitas surf spots

Encinitas, California

Updated February 10, 2026 at 7:17 PM · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.

A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in Encinitas. These 6 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.

Current Tide

2.5ft

Falling

Next Low

03:00 AM

2.8 ft

NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data

Tide Chart

7-Day Tide Schedule

7-day tide schedule showing high and low tides
Day	High 1	Low 1	High 2	Low 2
Today	--	8:00 PM(2.9 ft)	--	--
Tomorrow	4:00 AM(4.4 ft)	1:00 PM(0.2 ft)	8:00 PM(3.1 ft)	11:00 PM(2.8 ft)
Thu, Feb 12	5:00 AM(4.7 ft)	1:00 PM(-0.2 ft)	8:00 PM(3.2 ft)	--
Fri, Feb 13	6:00 AM(5.0 ft)	12:00 AM(2.6 ft)	8:00 PM(3.4 ft)	2:00 PM(-0.5 ft)
Sat, Feb 14	7:00 AM(5.4 ft)	1:00 AM(2.2 ft)	9:00 PM(3.6 ft)	2:00 PM(-0.7 ft)
Sun, Feb 15	7:00 AM(5.6 ft)	1:00 AM(1.9 ft)	9:00 PM(3.8 ft)	3:00 PM(-0.8 ft)
Mon, Feb 16	8:00 AM(5.8 ft)	2:00 AM(1.5 ft)	9:00 PM(4.0 ft)	3:00 PM(-0.9 ft)

Today

8:00 PM (2.9 ft)

Tomorrow

4:00 AM (4.4 ft)

8:00 PM (3.1 ft)

1:00 PM (0.2 ft)

11:00 PM (2.8 ft)

Thu, Feb 12

5:00 AM (4.7 ft)

8:00 PM (3.2 ft)

1:00 PM (-0.2 ft)

Fri, Feb 13

6:00 AM (5.0 ft)

8:00 PM (3.4 ft)

12:00 AM (2.6 ft)

2:00 PM (-0.5 ft)

Sat, Feb 14

7:00 AM (5.4 ft)

9:00 PM (3.6 ft)

1:00 AM (2.2 ft)

2:00 PM (-0.7 ft)

Sun, Feb 15

7:00 AM (5.6 ft)

9:00 PM (3.8 ft)

1:00 AM (1.9 ft)

3:00 PM (-0.8 ft)

Mon, Feb 16

8:00 AM (5.8 ft)

9:00 PM (4.0 ft)

2:00 AM (1.5 ft)

3:00 PM (-0.9 ft)

Beach Tide Preferences

Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.

Top spot recommendations

Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.

Featured Beaches

6 spots

Beacons

Intermediate

No description available.

Cardiff Reef

Intermediate

Cardiff Reef offers North San Diego County's best longboarding experience rated 7/10. This grass-covered flat reef produces quarter-mile rides over mellow, mushy waves ideal for multi-generational families.

D Street

Beginner friendly

No description available.

Grandview

Beginner friendly

Grandview provides beginner-friendly Leucadia beachbreak rated 6/10. Rock bottom covered by sand creates inside beachbreak and outside reef breaks.

Moonlight State Beach

Beginner friendly

No description available.

Swami's

Advanced

Swami's ranks among Southern California's premier right pointbreaks, rated 9/10. This reef/point break under Self-Realization Fellowship's golden domes receives west swells (240-310°, center 270°) with east offshore winds (90°) optimal.

Loading map...

Featured Beaches(6)

What to focus on today

Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset

Ready to Join the Surf Community?

Find your crew, track epic sessions, and discover amazing spots. Free to join — priceless connections.

Join Free Today Learn More

🏄‍♀️ No credit card required • Join 1,200+ surfers already connecting