
Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s period, SSW swell with 292 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. 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 0.6m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 2PM. 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+) | 8AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's be real with you. I've looked at the numbers for the next couple of weeks, and it's a bit of a tough stretch for the lineup. We've got a solid window of poor conditions ahead, but there's a tiny glimmer of hope if you're willing to wait and are a bit desperate for a splash.
The ocean is going to be pretty quiet. We're looking at a long stretch of small, weak surf. For the first several days, from Friday the 31st through to the end of the first week of August, the swell is just not there. The energy is low, with combined energy values dipping down into the 90s and 100s for a lot of that time. That’s weak energy, folks. The waves are going to be ankle to knee-high at best, and the wind is mostly cross-onshore or onshore. It's not going to be pretty. It's going to be a lot of paddling for nothing. There’s a period from the 31st to around the 5th of August where we see a handful of days with no real surf on offer at all. It's a pretty blank run.
The first real hint of something happens around the 7th of August. The period on that Friday morning jumps up to 19 seconds, which is a proper groundswell, but the size is still just 1.6ft. The energy is only moderate (355). That's a lot of power for a tiny wave, but it might just be enough to make the small ones a little more fun and less gutless. But with the wind coming from the south at 9 mph, it's going to be cross-onshore, so it'll be a bit lumpy.
We have to look way down the line for anything that might be considered a highlight. The standout is shaping up for Saturday, August 15th. The morning is the best we're going to see. The swell is up to 3ft from the SSW with a period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is 508, which is the strongest we get in the whole run, a moderate wave energy. And crucially, we have a light offshore wind from the southwest at 9 mph. That's our ticket.
This is all about Bolsa Chica. I’d say your best bet is to head there on the morning of the 15th. It’s a fairly consistent beginner spot that's fairly exposed, so it should pick up this swell. It's a beach break, and with a 16-second period, it might be a little straight, but for the size, it could be a fun little wave. The water is also much warmer than normal for this time of year, already 5.8°F above average, so you won't need a thick suit. Just be aware that this is a long-range call, so it's promising, but not a sure thing. The afternoon looks like it will get a bit more wind, but by then you should have had your fun.
Honestly, there’s one other day that might save the run. The morning of Friday, the 14th of August has a 2ft SSW swell with a 19-second period and light offshore winds. The energy is moderate (416). It's not as big or as clean as the 15th, but with that long period, it’ll have some push. It’s a backup option for sure.
For everything else, it's going to be a struggle. The setup is so small and weak for most of the window, and with the onshore winds, it's not worth your time. Kite surfing might be the only thing that finds this stretch interesting. But stick with it – forecasts can change, and we're not that far off from better days.
Stay stoked.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
480 | 290 | 189 | 201 | 218 | 85 | 75 | 49 | 47 | 42 | 66 | 41 | 84 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 71 | 97 | 63 | 114 | 84 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:41AM1.69m | 10:48PM2.08m | 12:07PM1.75m | 11:24PM1.92m | 12:35PM1.80m | 00:05AM1.73m | 1:07PM1.86m | 00:58AM1.52m | 1:46PM1.92m | 2:16AM1.32m | 2:37PM1.97m | 4:31AM1.21m | 3:43PM2.03m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:49PM0.98m | 5:39AM0.37m | 5:32PM0.96m | 6:04AM0.49m | 6:23PM0.94m | 6:28AM0.63m | 7:25PM0.91m | 6:54AM0.79m | 8:45PM0.86m | 7:25AM0.95m | 10:23PM0.74m | 8:09AM1.10m | 11:51PM0.55m | ||||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 |
480 | 290 | 189 | 201 | 218 | 54 | 20 | 13 | 18 | 26 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 71 | 97 | 63 | 114 | 84 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 10 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 12 | WSW 4 | W 5 | SSW 12 | W 4 | W 5 | SSW 20 | SW 18 |
12 | 46 | 68 | 21 | 13 | 85 | 75 | 49 | 44 | 42 | 43 | 39 | 84 | 22 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 40 | 82 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | W 4 | S 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | S 10 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | W 5 |
— | 10 | 4 | 40 | 56 | 46 | 47 | 46 | 47 | 23 | 66 | 41 | 38 | 8 | 42 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | — | — | 15 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 34 | 138 | 14 | 33 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 138 | 33 | 33 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 96 | 3 | 33 | 138 | 20 |
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.











