Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 366 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bolsa Chica this week:
The surf forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bolsa Chica in the next 16 days are 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get real about Bolsa Chica. This is going to be a tough stretch. The water is sitting at a balmy 72°, which is about 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, a real bath. But the warm water is about the only thing going for us.
Right now and for the next week and a half, it's flat. I mean, we're talking about tiny dribbles of swell, mostly 1 ft to 2 ft from the SW and SSW. The combined energy is weak, barely getting into the low hundreds (81 to 199) for days, and it’s just not doing anything. The wind is the real killer here – it’s mostly onshore, either straight on or cross-onshore, keeping everything blown out and choppy. Even the few times the wind is light, the swell is too small to push anything rideable.
We've got a 16-day forecast, but honestly, there’s a big, empty gap. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t come until Saturday, August 15th, morning. The swell bumps up to a knee-high 3 ft from the SSW, and the combined energy climbs a bit (391). But it’s only rated as marginal. The wind is light and from the WSW, which is onshore, so don't expect magic.
Even the bigger energy days around the 14th (425 and 429) are still paired with poor surf conditions and onshore wind. Those long period swells (18 seconds) are in there, which usually means better shape, but with the wind and the small size, it’s a tease.
So, what’s the standout? There isn't a true standout. The absolute best on offer is that Saturday morning, August 15th. It’s your one shot to maybe find a crumbly, clean-ish wave on the inside. It's still a beginner spot, so the tiny size works for learning, but it’s not going to be pumping. For anyone looking for a proper wave, this is a hard pass.
Honestly, this whole stretch looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. With the persistent onshore flow and small, weak swell, you’re better off waiting for a proper groundswell and a day where the wind switches offshore.
Keep your head up. It won't stay this way forever.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 42 | 66 | 41 | 84 | 77 | 75 | 71 | 71 | 97 | 88 | 114 | 84 | 212 | 210 | 270 | 237 | 229 | 366 | 249 | 242 | 218 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:07PM1.86m | 00:58AM1.52m | 1:46PM1.92m | 2:16AM1.32m | 2:37PM1.97m | 4:31AM1.21m | 3:43PM2.03m | 6:52AM1.27m | 4:57PM2.13m | 7:56AM1.39m | 6:06PM2.26m | 8:36AM1.51m | 7:07PM2.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:25PM0.91m | 6:54AM0.79m | 8:45PM0.86m | 7:25AM0.95m | 10:23PM0.74m | 8:09AM1.10m | 11:51PM0.55m | 9:38AM1.21m | 00:57AM0.34m | 11:25AM1.24m | 1:49AM0.15m | 12:44PM1.17m | 2:34AM0.01m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 15 | W 5 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 16 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 77 | 11 | 71 | 71 | 97 | 88 | 114 | 84 | 212 | 210 | 270 | 237 | 229 | 366 | 249 | 242 | 218 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 15 | W 5 | SSW 12 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | W 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 42 | 66 | 39 | 84 | 22 | 75 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 82 | 114 | 82 | 108 | 50 | 71 | 56 | 3 | 49 | 23 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | S 10 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | SSW 20 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 15 | S 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SW 22 | SSW 21 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 23 | 66 | 41 | 38 | 8 | 41 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 80 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 15 | 6 | 19 | 45 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 8 | S 9 | — |
| kJ | — | 24 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 14 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 138 | 0 | 33 | 138 | 3 | 33 | 88 | 0 | 33 | 96 | 49 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 988 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 33 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bolsa Chica Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bolsa Chica provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bolsa Chica can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bolsa Chica surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bolsa Chica) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bolsa Chica may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Bolsa Chica is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of Seal Beach. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Seal Beach. Seal Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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