
Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 666 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 (Jul 04) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G’day, Rusty here.
Well, to be honest, looking at the next 16 days for Bolsa Chica, I’ve seen more action in a flat paddling pool. We’re staring down a real dry spell for the first week and a half. It’s not until the very end of the run that something finally shows up.
Right out of the gate, from Saturday the 4th all the way through the morning of Saturday the 18th of July, it’s a long stretch of poor or marginal surf. The swell is hanging around a tiny 0.4 ft to 3 ft from the SSW, with only weak to moderate energy levels. There’s a light breeze on a few mornings, but winds are mostly onshore or cross-onshore, making for choppy conditions. Honestly, it’s a snooze-fest.
But then, on Saturday the 18th of July, the ocean wakes up a bit. We get a bump in swell to 4 ft coming from the SSE, and the combined swell energy jumps to a moderate level. The morning light breeze will make for some clean-ish lines, though the wind swings cross-onshore in the arvo to mess it up a touch. Still, it’s the first real chance you’ll have.
The standout, if you can call it one, rolls in on Sunday the 19th of July. The swell pushes up to 6 ft from the S with a 15-second period (long period groundswell there), and the energy is strong. The morning wind is light from the WSW, so it should be clean. Keep in mind, with that long period, it might close out a bit at Bolsa Chica since it’s a beach break. But for a bigger wave, it’s the best we’ve got in the whole window. That said, 6 ft is right on the edge for beginners; it’s more of an intermediate-to-expert session. Crowds can be an issue here sometimes, so be ready for company.
Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild. Just your typical summer water.
All in all, the first 13 days are a write-off. That Sunday the 19th is the one to circle, but don’t hold your breath—it’s a long way out, so treat it as promising but uncertain.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Fri 10 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
186 | 186 | 186 | 183 | 270 | 207 | 459 | 226 | 226 | 432 | 666 | 497 | 356 | 427 | 505 | 524 | 417 | 402 | 397 | 266 | 309 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:39PM1.97m | 1:43PM1.61m | 00:19AM1.81m | 2:18PM1.68m | 1:09AM1.63m | 2:56PM1.77m | 2:22AM1.44m | 3:39PM1.89m | 4:07AM1.30m | 4:27PM2.01m | 6:04AM1.28m | 5:21PM2.15m | 7:32AM1.35m | 6:16PM2.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:54AM0.43m | 6:38PM1.19m | 7:23AM0.54m | 7:48PM1.16m | 7:54AM0.66m | 9:13PM1.07m | 8:31AM0.80m | 10:43PM0.89m | 9:17AM0.94m | 00:00AM0.66m | 10:18AM1.05m | 1:02AM0.41m | 11:28AM1.12m | ||||||||
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | |
8:06 | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Feels °C | 17 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
186 | 186 | 186 | 183 | 270 | 207 | 459 | 226 | 226 | 48 | 666 | 497 | 78 | 427 | 505 | 524 | 417 | 402 | 397 | 266 | 309 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | W 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 10 | W 7 | WSW 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 |
6 | 148 | 146 | 73 | 99 | 99 | 16 | 21 | 223 | 318 | 42 | 144 | 356 | 65 | 34 | 71 | 121 | 39 | 16 | 20 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | W 4 | SSW 9 | SSW 24 | SW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | SW 7 | W 6 | SSW 14 | S 20 | S 11 | — | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 10 | S 10 | WNW 10 |
18 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 54 | 119 | 180 | 28 | 432 | 2 | 28 | 140 | 67 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 22 | 2 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 4 | W 4 | — | W 4 | W 3 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — |
— | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 138 | 96 | 5 | 138 | 138 | 28 | 34 | 138 | 28 | 138 | 106 | 33 | 33 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 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.











