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California • San Diego CountyBuoy: 46225

Black's Beach

Junky

Wave Height

3-5

ft

Swell

~5s

W

Wind

6mph

Offshore (SE)

Water

66°

3/2mm

Rising• High in 5h 41m

Updated: 4/15/2026, 5:30:30 AM • Data: Open-Meteo

Accurate?

Surf Graph

Clean
Fair
Choppy
Flat

Tide Forecast

Today
H3:26pm4.6ft
L9:27pm0.1ft
Tomorrow
H3:39am5.3ft
L10:04am-0.4ft
H4:11pm4.5ft
L9:55pm0.4ft
Fri, Apr 17
H4:07am5.7ft
L10:46am-0.9ft
H4:58pm4.2ft
L10:25pm0.7ft
Sat, Apr 18
H4:39am6.1ft

Recent History

No recent history available

About Black's Beach

Black's Beach is one of the most powerful beach breaks in Southern California, tucked beneath the towering Torrey Pines cliffs in La Jolla. The steep, narrow beach focuses swell energy into heavy, hollow peaks that can hold well overhead surf. Access requires a rugged trail down the bluffs—no easy paddle-out here, which keeps the crowd more committed than your average SoCal break. Winter northwest swells light this place up, producing barreling A-frames that rival anything on the coast. The nudist section to the north adds to the uniquely SoCal atmosphere.

FAQ

What is the water temperature at Black's Beach?

The current water temperature at Black's Beach is 66°F. A 3/2mm wetsuit is recommended.

What is the surf like at Black's Beach today?

Black's Beach currently has waves around 3-5ft. Conditions change throughout the day, so check back for updated forecasts.

What time is high tide at Black's Beach?

Today's high tide at Black's Beach is at 11:15 PM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What time is low tide at Black's Beach?

Today's low tide at Black's Beach is at 5:23 AM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What are the best conditions for surfing Black's Beach?

Black's Beach works best with swells from the W, WNW, NW and E, NE, ENE winds (offshore). The ideal tide is low to mid.

Is Black's Beach good for beginners?

Black's Beach is recommended for experienced surfers only. The waves here can be powerful and conditions challenging. Beginners should look for more forgiving spots nearby.

This Week's Outlook

Friday afternoon looks like your best bet with clean 3-foot waves, light 5mph south winds, and a decent evening high tide at 4:58. The longer 9-second period should provide some punch, and those cross-shore winds won't mess with the face too much.

Updated 4/15/2026, 6:00:39 AM

Spot Info

Break TypeBeach Break
BottomSand
Skill LevelAdvanced
CrowdModerate
Best TideLow to Mid
Best SwellW, WNW, NW
Best WindE, NE, ENE
ParkingFree parking at Torrey Pines gliderport, steep trail down

Local Tip

The cliff trail is no joke—allow 15 minutes each way. Winter NW swells are when this place really turns on.