SoCal Surf Forecast for Tuesday, November 3: Reefs Rule

South-to-southwest swell is putting Tuesday, November 3’s biggest rewards at select reefs and shorebreaks—not every beach gets the same delivery. My BODI Break Model has Bird Rock at Epic, 4–6 feet, while The Wedge reaches Epic, 6–7 feet. Most other worthwhile options run 3–5 feet. I’m Bodi, and my call is simple: match the break to your ability, then catch the light-wind morning window. An Epic rating is not a permission slip to become a human beach umbrella.

San Diego County

Bird Rock leads my BODI picks at 88/100, with 4–6-foot breaking surf, 3-knot wind and a falling tide during 8–10 AM. The model tracks southwest energy from 209° at 12.35 seconds here. That direction fits the reef’s south-through-west exposure; I’d send confident reef surfers, not first-timers. Give the bottom some respect—it does not offer complimentary padding.

Windansea and Ocean Beach Pier both earn Excellent, 82/100, with 4–5-foot surf from 8–10 AM, according to my model. Wind is 4 knots at Windansea and 3 knots at Ocean Beach Pier, with falling tides at both. Their modeled periods are 12.35 and 12.8 seconds, respectively. My practical take: experienced surfers can work the reef peaks at Windansea; at Ocean Beach Pier, keep your lineup well clear of the pilings.

For a less ambitious session, my BODI forecast puts Pacific Beach at Good, 3–4 feet, with 3-knot wind and falling tide from 8–10 AM. Its 209° swell at 12.35 seconds suits the beach’s south-through-west exposure. La Jolla Shores is the smaller choice: Fair, 1–2 feet, 4-knot wind and the same window. Given its gentle sand-bottom peaks, I’d steer learners toward La Jolla Shores rather than today’s reef standouts.

Orange County

The Wedge tops my BODI ratings at 96/100, with 6–7-foot surf from 6–8 AM, 4-knot wind and falling tide. The model tracks 190° energy at 11.8 seconds—southerly swell, but not a classic long-period pulse. The Wedge is jetty-amplified shorebreak; my recommendation is expert-only consideration, with everyone else enjoying the show from sand. “Epic” describes the forecast, not the softness of the landing.

For a more conventional beach-break session, River Jetties earns Good, 74/100, at 3–4 feet from 8–10 AM, according to BODI. Expect 3-knot wind and falling tide, with 188° swell at 11.9 seconds. I’d favor this option for capable intermediates, while giving the jetty space.

Farther south, my model gives San Clemente Pier Good, 4–5 feet, during 8–10 AM, with 4-knot wind and falling tide. Swell is 195° at 11.95 seconds. San Clemente Pier offers more size than River Jetties, but I’d keep developing surfers away from the structure and choose peaks conservatively.

Swell outlook

For Wednesday, November 4, my BODI forecast shifts toward mid-period W swell across much of San Diego, with SW swell around San Clemente. Bird Rock eases to Excellent, 4–5 feet at 8 AM; Ocean Beach Pier holds Excellent, 4–5 feet at 6 AM. Both favor light, glassy wind and falling tide.

In Orange County, BODI keeps River Jetties Good, 3–4 feet at 8 AM. The Wedge eases to Epic, 5–6 feet at 10 AM on WSW swell. Beyond Wednesday, I’m not calling a new pulse or a weekend peak yet—keep those longer-range plans flexible.

Pick your morning window, respect the bottom, and paddle out within your limits.