Overview

Imperial Beach is a kitesurfing spot located at the southernmost tip of California, just a few kilometers from the Mexican border. This west-facing sandy beach offers regular west to northwest afternoon thermal winds and moderate waves. The spot enjoys the mildest climate on the California coast with some of the warmest waters in the state. It is an accessible spot with a relaxed vibe far from the bustle of San Diego.

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Spot forecast for Imperial Beach

Sunrise 06:56 · Sunset 18:10

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 1.8 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October High tide 06:50 · 1.6 m Low tide 11:36 · 1.4 m High tide 16:46 · 1.7 m
Tuesday 20 October Low tide 00:06 · 0.7 m High tide 07:03 · 1.7 m Low tide 12:24 · 1.3 m High tide 17:51 · 1.8 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 00:37 · 0.7 m High tide 07:18 · 1.8 m Low tide 13:01 · 1.1 m High tide 18:39 · 1.8 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 01:04 · 0.7 m High tide 07:32 · 2 m Low tide 13:35 · 0.9 m High tide 19:22 · 1.9 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 01:29 · 0.7 m High tide 07:48 · 2.1 m Low tide 14:08 · 0.7 m High tide 20:04 · 1.9 m

Imperial Beach: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

152h

in September · 27.5 rideable days

The season runs from February to September, peaking in September: 25 rideable days a month and 152 hours of usable wind, at 19 °C. The low point is December, at 13 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 96%13-20 knots · 4%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 96% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 17 °C. The wettest month is February, with 53 mm.

Monthly averages: Imperial Beach

Monthly averages — Imperial Beach — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	17.0	82 h	17 °C	9 mm
February	22.5	124 h	17 °C	53 mm
March	26.5	183 h	17 °C	42 mm
April	24.0	174 h	17 °C	1 mm
May	23.5	156 h	18 °C	2 mm
June	23.0	156 h	19 °C	0 mm
July	25.0	164 h	22 °C	0 mm
August	24.0	132 h	22 °C	2 mm
September	27.5	152 h	23 °C	10 mm
October	20.0	107 h	21 °C	5 mm
November	18.0	92 h	19 °C	47 mm
December	13.0	52 h	18 °C	9 mm

Photo gallery of Imperial Beach

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Technical details of Imperial Beach spot

The spot works with winds from S, SSW, SW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Ocean beach spot with waves of 0.3 to 1.5m. Moderate shore break. Water is the warmest in California (16-22°C/61-72°F), a shorty or 3/2 works most of the year. Sandy and gradually deepening bottom. Wide riding area offshore. Conditions are generally forgiving and consistent, ideal for progressing.

Hazards

Possible water pollution from the Tijuana River after rains — check health advisories. Drift currents along the beach. Imperial Beach Pier — keep your distance. Shared area with surfers and swimmers. Proximity to the international border — do not drift southward. Stingrays possible in shallow waters.

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Live

Imperial Beach Naval Outlying Field - Ream Field2.6 kmsource noaa

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Readings from Imperial Beach Naval Outlying Field - Ream Field weather station are reserved for Premium members.

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Additional stations

NERRS METEOROLOGICAL SITE AT TIJUANA RIVER IMPERIAL BEACH0.6 km

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source noaa
Border Field5.1 km

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Webcams near Imperial Beach

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Nearby spots

All spots: California

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Imperial Beach kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot