World › United States of America › California › Tourmaline
Tourmaline 88.5
#956 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇺🇸 United States of America · California · near San Diego
Works almost every day, no off season, gentle enough to learn.
Works all yearBeginner friendlyBeginner
Surf score88.5 /100
Surfable days96% of the year
Clean days50% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell55% period 11 s+
Typical size0.9 m 3.0 ft median
Water18°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Tourmaline
The best time to surf Tourmaline is April, May, September. The season runs Jan to Jan. In April the water sits around 18°C, so pack a 3/2 wetsuit, and the typical wave is 1.0 m. The nearest airport is SAN (10 km) and the nearest town is San Diego (14 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 91% | 41% | 0.9 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Feb | 90% | 24% | 0.8 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Mar | 96% | 47% | 1.0 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| Apr | 99% | 70% | 1.0 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| May | 100% | 65% | 1.1 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 100% | 52% | 0.9 m | 19°C | 3/2 |
| Jul | 99% | 57% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Aug | 100% | 55% | 0.8 m | 22°C | 2mm |
| Sep | 100% | 66% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Oct | 97% | 53% | 0.8 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Nov | 87% | 30% | 0.8 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 90% | 32% | 0.9 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
Why 88.5
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
24.0
Groundswell 12%
11.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
1.7
Water comfort 10%
3.7
Access 10%
9.8
The detail
Faces 245° with 44% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 90% of days. Mean peak period 13.3 s. Days over 3 m: 0%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 86%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 32.805, -117.264 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Law Street🇺🇸 United States of America · score 88.5Hennemans🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.2Diamond Street🇺🇸 United States of America · score 88.5PB Pier🇺🇸 United States of America · score 88.5
Compare Tourmaline with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in AprilFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.