Cardiff · San Diego County
Cardiff Reef
Coastal Flood Advisory issued November 4 at 8:18PM PST until November 10 at 12:00PM PST by NWS San Diego CA
Read the National Weather Service warning
* WHAT...Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding expected. Additionally, dangerous rip currents and surf of 3 to 5 feet expcted along west-facing beaches. * WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal Areas. * WHEN...From 4 AM Friday to noon PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Coastal residents and managers of infrastructure in the advisory area should prepare for rising water and take appropriate action to protect life and property. Highest tides will occur in the late morning each day. Observed high tides are 1.3 to 1.6 feet above astronomical tide predictions. Surf will increase starting next Monday, but there is uncertainty in details at this time.
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.
Next 5 daysSurf height and tide, hour by hour
16-day outlookTomorrow 2–4 ft · Fair–Good
- Thu, Nov 53–5 ftWind AM calm, PM onshoreGood
- Fri, Nov 62–4 ftWind AM offshore, PM onshoreFair–Good
- Sat, Nov 72–5 ftWind AM offshore, PM onshoreFair–Good
- Sun, Nov 83–4 ftWind AM offshore, PM crossFair–Good
- Mon, Nov 93–5 ftWind AM offshore, PM onshoreGood
- Tue, Nov 103–5 ftWind AM calm, PM calmFair–Good
- Wed, Nov 113–4 ftWind AM calm, PM onshoreFair–Good
- Thu, Nov 123–4 ftWind AM calm, PM onshoreFair–Good
- Fri, Nov 134–7 ftWind AM cross, PM calmEpic
- Sat, Nov 145–11 ftWind AM cross, PM onshoreFair
- Sun, Nov 156–10 ftWind AM onshore, PM onshorePoor–Fair
- Mon, Nov 165–8 ftWind AM cross, PM crossGood
- Tue, Nov 176–9 ftWind AM offshore, PM crossEpic
- Wed, Nov 183–6 ftWind AM cross, PM onshoreFair–Good
- Thu, Nov 192–4 ftWind AM offshore, PM onshoreFair
- Fri, Nov 202–4 ftWind AM calm, PM onshoreFair–Good
Swell1.7 ft @ 14s SSW
- 1.7 ft14 s SSW 204°swell
- 1.3 ft14 s WNW 284°swell
- 1.7 ft6 s W 268°swell
Offshore deep-water swell from NOAA WAVEWATCH III.
Wind & weather7 mph offshore · Mostly sunny
Solid: wind · dashed: gusts · dots: offshore/calm, cross, onshore
- 10 PM6–6 mphoffshore67°F Mostly sunny
- 12 AM7–8 mphoffshore64°F Mostly sunny
- 2 AM6–6 mphoffshore63°F Partly cloudy
- 4 AM4–4 mphcalm62°F Mostly cloudy
- 6 AM5–5 mphcalm62°F Mostly cloudy
- 8 AM5–5 mphcalm64°F Partly cloudy
- 10 AM4–4 mphcalm69°F Clear
- 12 PM8–9 mphonshore71°F Clear
- 2 PM9–12 mphonshore72°F Mostly sunny
- 4 PM9–12 mphonshore72°F Mostly sunny
- 6 PM7–8 mphonshore72°F Mostly sunny
- 8 PM6–6 mphcross70°F Mostly sunny
- 10 PM5–5 mphcalm68°F Partly cloudy
National Weather Service forecast; NOAA GFS model beyond about 7 days.
Tides · La Jolla (Scripps Institution Wharf)Next low 11 PM · 0.6 ft
- Low11 PM · 0.6 ft
- High6 AM · 5.5 ft
- Low12 PM · 0.6 ft
- High6 PM · 4.4 ft
NOAA Tides & Currents predictions. Best tide here: low-mid.
Sun & lightFirst light 5:44 AM · Sunset 4:55 PM · UV 5
UV index peak 5 (moderate) around 12 PM.EPA UV index forecast.
| First light | Sunrise | Sunset | Last light | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 5:44 AM | 6:10 AM | 4:55 PM | 5:20 PM |
| Tomorrow | 5:45 AM | 6:10 AM | 4:54 PM | 5:19 PM |
Water temp & live buoyWater 75°F · Buoy 3.6 ft @ 15s
Water 75°F (NOAA tide station, 11:06 PM). Suggested: Boardshorts or a spring top.
- Wave height
- 1.1 m (3.6 ft)
- Dominant period
- 15 s
- Average period
- 7.7 s
- Direction
- W 259°
- Water temp
- 24.1 °C
Measured at the buoy, shown as reported (feet converted from metres). Data: CDIP, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, via NOAA NDBC.
Water qualityCheck before you paddle out, especially after rain
Health departments post bacteria advisories and sewage-spill closures. Avoid the water for at least 72 hours after rain, especially near river mouths, creeks and storm drains.
Today's status: San Diego County (sdbeachinfo) →Getting thereCardiff State Beach paid lot (about $12–25, demand priced) or roadside on Coast Highway; very busy year-round.
- Parking
- Cardiff State Beach paid lot (about $12–25, demand priced) or roadside on Coast Highway; very busy year-round.
- Access
- Short walk across sand from the lot by the lagoon mouth.
- Lifeguards
- California State Parks lifeguards; towers staffed seasonally.
- Facilities
- Restrooms and outdoor showers at Cardiff State Beach; restaurants across the highway.
- Etiquette
- Very popular with surfers of all levels; consistently crowded, so wait your turn.
- Hazards
- Reef at low tide; San Elijo Lagoon outflow lowers water quality after rain. County health officials advise avoiding ocean contact for 72 hours after rain.
Local info changes; check posted signs and lifeguards on the day.
About this breakreef · reef · faces WSW
Broad flat reef beside the San Elijo Lagoon outlet, one of the county's most popular spots, ridden by novices and experts alike. The reef extends about 50 yards from shore at low tide.
Faces WSW · works on S–NW swell · best SW–WSW · usually surfed by all levels
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Model run 2026-11-05 00Z. Surf heights are face-height estimates from our spot model. Data sources