South Ponto
Carlsbad · San Diego, United States · Beach break
Local time — · Sunrise 06:20 · Sunset 16:49
Reading the ocean.
SWELLRADAR is requesting a verified marine run for South Ponto.
Spot intelligence.
The official Carlsbad guide notes Ponto's more defined peaks compared with nearby faster-closing beachbreak. Current and bank position still require an on-site check.
Profile source · Official San Diego Carlsbad beach guideProfile geometry
Swell axis WSW · 255°
Offshore wind from ENE · Intermediate profile
Wave
Defined beach peaks near the lagoon and jetty influence
Shifting sand banks with occasional rock influence
Swell window
W–SW
0.6–2.3 m offshore ranking band
Clean wind
E–NE offshore · early
Applied to wind scoring
Tide window
Moving mid tide · bank dependent
Qualitative timing guidance
Field guide
Read the break.
Character · setup · local read
Field guide
Read the break.
Character
01South Ponto is defined by defined beach peaks near the lagoon and jetty influence over shifting sand banks with occasional rock influence. The shape can change with swell angle, period and the active section, so the live score should always be paired with a visual check from shore.
Best setup
02W–SW swell, e–ne offshore · early and moving mid tide · bank dependent form the profile baseline. SWELLRADAR treats 0.6–2.3 m as a working range, not a guarantee of breaking-wave size.
Lineup read
03Choose a peak that matches your experience and reassess it as tide and crowd change. Pay particular attention to strong rip currents, heavy shorebreak, shifting banks. Local signs and advice always take priority.
Know before you paddle
Live conditions and local advice always override this profile.
Optional community layerRecent surfer reportsVoluntary and potentially incomplete. Not used for the forecast or Surf Score.
The break
Beach break
Intermediate. Works best with W–SW swell.
Timing
E–NE offshore · early
Moving mid tide · bank dependent. Re-check local observations and the lineup before you paddle out.
Data note
Model data unavailable
SWELLRADAR withholds numerical conditions, scores and surf windows until a quality-checked marine forecast is available.