Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 629 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 11) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. 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 (Tue 11th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Bolsa Chica has in store for us.
Honestly, the next couple of weeks are a tough slog. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only thing that’s firing. The swell energy is weak to moderate at best. Most days the combined energy reading is bouncing between 178 and 575, but the waves are just too small and wonky to get excited about. It’s mostly ankle to knee-high slop with onshore or cross-onshore winds chopping things up.
There is one bright spot that stands out from the rest. On Saturday, August 15th, the afternoon glass-off looks like a little window of opportunity. The wind goes glassy, the swell picks up to a tiny but rideable 3 ft from the SSW, and the combined energy hits a peak of 575. For a brief moment, it could actually be pretty clean and fun on a foamie. Crowds are possible there, but with conditions this marginal, you might have it to yourself.
Other than that, it’s a dry spell. There’s nothing else on the menu worth paddling out for. The waves stay small—mostly between 1 ft and 4 ft—and the periods are short, so there’s no real punch. A couple of mornings in the second week, around August 22nd and 23rd, show a bit more size (up to 4 ft) but it’s short-period windswell from the west, and the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy.
If you’re a beginner looking for a slow, gentle session, the morning of the 15th is your best bet. For everyone else, it’s looking like a week to wax your board at home and wait for the next proper groundswell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat night, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 163 | 139 | 184 | 95 | 154 | 207 | 143 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 248 | 242 | 197 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 425 | 372 | 268 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 9:11AM1.61m | 8:00PM2.48m | 9:45AM1.71m | 8:49PM2.51m | 10:19AM1.80m | 9:36PM2.45m | 10:52AM1.88m | 10:21PM2.31m | 11:25AM1.94m | 11:06PM2.11m | 11:58AM1.97m | 11:51PM1.86m | 12:32PM1.97m | 00:41AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:45PM1.06m | 3:15AM-0.06m | 2:38PM0.94m | 3:54AM-0.06m | 3:28PM0.84m | 4:30AM0.02m | 4:17PM0.76m | 5:04AM0.17m | 5:06PM0.73m | 5:35AM0.36m | 5:57PM0.73m | 6:04AM0.57m | 6:53PM0.76m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 163 | 139 | 99 | 95 | 154 | 207 | 143 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 248 | 242 | 171 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 425 | 372 | 268 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | S 9 | SW 14 | S 11 | S 11 | W 5 | S 10 | W 6 |
| kJ | 65 | 97 | 184 | 33 | 57 | 36 | 27 | 48 | 41 | 60 | 40 | 42 | 197 | 169 | 27 | 151 | 37 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 32 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | S 11 | SSW 11 | W 11 | S 11 | W 11 | W 10 | S 11 | W 10 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 39 | 10 | 50 | 75 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 18 | 23 | 45 | 151 | 20 | 37 | 2 | 38 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 2 | 41 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 9 | — | — | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | W 4 | — | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 8 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 7 | 18 | 8 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 138 | 18 | 138 | 138 | 28 | 138 | 138 | 17 | 33 | 138 | 37 | 138 | 101 | 30 | 33 | 0 | 30 | 33 | 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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