Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SSW swell with 966 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. 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 1.6m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. 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 (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s happening down at Bolsa Chica for the next couple of weeks.
Right now, it’s a bit of a slow grind. The first five days are looking pretty flat and choppy. We’ve got a long-period south swell pushing in, but it’s weak and the cross-on wind is ruining it. That swell energy is reading between 144 and 414 (moderate energy), but the 1ft to 2ft waves are just messy. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Things start to get a little more interesting by Sunday, the 19th. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the south, with a period of 14 seconds. It’s not perfect, but the wind slackens off to a light cross-on breeze, and the wave energy jumps to 996 (moderate). It’s a marginal call, but it’s the first real sign of life.
The best session on offer looks like it will be the morning of Friday, the 24th, and then into Saturday, the 25th. We’ve got a solid 5ft to 6ft south-southwest swell, with a period of 14 seconds. The wave energy is pumping – 1462 and 1704 (strong to very strong wave energy). The wind is a light cross-on or onshore breeze, so it should be fairly clean. It’s a bit of a hike for a beginner at 5ft, but for the rest of us, this is the window. The wind is light, so expect some clean lines. The crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so if you can get out on the Friday morning, you’ll beat the weekend rush.
The following week, around the 27th and 28th, we see another push of strong long-period energy (1060), but the wind stays cross-on, making it choppy. It’s better than the dead flat start, but it won’t hold a candle to that 24th-25th window.
If you’re a beginner, that 3ft swell on Sunday the 19th or Monday the 20th might be your best bet, even if it’s a little lumpy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 64 | 88 | 126 | 130 | 74 | 77 | 246 | 255 | 233 | 779 | 958 | 966 | 692 | 594 | 259 | 441 | 358 | 439 | 334 | 325 | 257 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 12:13PM1.77m | 11:22PM2.28m | 12:55PM1.82m | 00:11AM2.03m | 1:37PM1.86m | 1:05AM1.75m | 2:21PM1.88m | 2:10AM1.49m | 3:08PM1.90m | 3:45AM1.30m | 3:59PM1.91m | 5:56AM1.25m | 4:52PM1.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:19PM0.95m | 6:21AM0.16m | 6:18PM0.95m | 6:58AM0.36m | 7:25PM0.96m | 7:34AM0.58m | 8:43PM0.94m | 8:10AM0.80m | 10:13PM0.88m | 8:48AM0.99m | 11:40PM0.77m | 9:38AM1.14m | 00:48AM0.63m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 10 | W 10 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 13 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 35 | 68 | 50 | 24 | 14 | 77 | 246 | 255 | 206 | 779 | 958 | 966 | 692 | 594 | 259 | 441 | 358 | 439 | 334 | 325 | 257 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | W 6 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 | SSW 17 | WNW 15 | W 15 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | W 5 | W 5 | SSE 12 | W 5 |
| kJ | 64 | 88 | 77 | 130 | 74 | 7 | 70 | 103 | 233 | 377 | 42 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 232 | 98 | 47 | 11 | 13 | 48 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 12 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 13 | WNW 15 | — | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 20 | W 4 | W 5 | S 9 | SSW 8 | SSE 13 | S 7 | S 12 |
| kJ | 28 | 27 | 126 | 54 | 51 | 25 | 9 | 6 | 28 | 44 | — | 4 | 16 | 75 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 28 | 55 | 10 | 76 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 2 | — | SSE 2 | SSE 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 4 | — | — | W 4 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 8 | — | — | 14 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 101 | 33 | 33 | 96 | 21 | 34 | 73 | 28 | 34 | 138 | 32 | 138 | 138 | 44 |
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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