Surf spot

Sunset Cliffs - Osprey

Forecast conditions and map view for Sunset Cliffs - Osprey in USA, California, San Diego County. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, San Diego County
Coordinates: 32.7193, -117.2577

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.9	0.8	1	1	1.1	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	0.9	0.9	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7
Wave direction	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	S	SSW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	SW	SSW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW
Wave period (s)	11.7	11.3	10.8	10.8	8.8	6.5	7.2	7.2	4.7	4.7	4.6	5.3	5.5	5.7	6	6	6	5.8	5.8	6.1	6.2	6	5.9	6.2	5	5.6	6	6.2	6.3	5.9	5.7	6.5	7.8	11.2	9.7	10.9	10.9	13.4	12.2	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.7	11.4	11.3	11.3	11.2	12	12.1	11.8	11.6	11.5	11.4	11.1	10.9	6.3
Wave energy (kJ)	193	165	135	102	75	42	51	53	31	34	28	53	59	72	95	112	125	119	98	118	105	95	90	70	39	55	69	73	72	59	50	54	67	122	87	104	104	158	172	177	172	168	165	160	163	163	159	125	119	120	110	108	100	100	92	41
Wind speed (km/h)	7	4.9	8.9	15.9	15	11.1	8.3	6.8	8.3	8	6.9	13.4	15.5	12.3	6.1	4.9	6	8.2	8.4	15	16.8	13.8	8.9	8	8.8	7.2	4.4	13.4	15	11.8	6.9	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.1	10	15.2	12.9	9.9	10.4	8.4	8.4	8.2	11.4	18.5	17.6	14	13.2	12.3	12.4	11.4	13.5	19.2	14.2	12.5	10.9
Wind direction	SSWCross	SSWGlassy	SSWCross	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WOnshore	WOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WSWOnshore	SWGlassy	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SCross	SSWCross	SSWCross-on	SGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WGlassy	WGlassy	WNWGlassy	WNWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NNWCross-on	NWCross-on	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	NWCross-on	NWCross-on

Sunset Cliffs – Osprey is a scenic surf spot in San Diego, California, along the rugged Sunset Cliffs coastline. It’s known for its dramatic bluff-lined setting, reef break waves, and beautiful sunset views.

Spot characteristics

Type: Reef break
Wave quality: Can be very good when conditions line up
Best swell: Typically works on S/SW swells
Best wind: Offshore or light winds, often with favorable east to northeast wind
Tide preference: Usually better at mid to low tide, depending on swell size
Crowd: Can be crowded, especially on clean surf days due to its popularity and accessibility

Wave profile

Osprey generally offers fast, punchy, powerful waves over reef. It can produce right and left-hand rides, with sections that are fun for experienced surfers. When the swell is strong, it can get hollow and more challenging.

Skill level

This spot is usually best for intermediate to advanced surfers, especially because of: - exposed reef - variable currents - potential for shallow takeoffs

Hazards

Shallow reef
Strong rip currents
Wetsuit or board damage from reef
Sharp rocks and uneven entry/exit points

Best season

Often most consistent in fall and winter, when south and southwest swells are more common, though it can work year-round with the right swell direction.

General vibe

Osprey has a classic Southern California reef-break feel: beautiful setting, quality surf when it’s on, and a slightly serious tone due to the reef and power of the waves.