Bolsa Chica Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.70° N 118.06° W

Issued: 10 pm 03 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bolsa Chica sea temperature is
19.2° C

1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year

Bolsa Chica surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


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 TypeTime (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 Powerful11AM (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 Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly 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
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
20
1
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
186
186
186
183
270
207
459
226
226
432
666
497
356
427
505
524
417
402
397
266
309
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
15
SW
15
WSW
5
SSW
15
SW
20
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
20
WSW
10
S
10
SSW
20
WSW
10
SSE
10
SW
15
SW
10
SSE
15
S
15
S
10
SSE
15
S
10
SSW
Wind State
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:46
5:47
5:47
5:48
5:48
5:48
5:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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)
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
W
6
1
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
W
7
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
Energy kJ
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)
0.4
W
4
0.4
SSW
19
0.4
SSW
19
0.3
SSW
19
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.6
W
5
0.6
W
6
0.5
SSW
20
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
W
7
0.6
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
W
7
0.6
W
7
0.8
W
8
0.8
W
10
0.6
W
7
0.4
WSW
6
0.5
W
6
0.4
WSW
6
Energy kJ
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)
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.3
W
4
0.2
SSW
9
0.2
SSW
24
0.4
SW
22
0.4
SSW
21
0.3
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
20
0.1
SW
7
0.6
W
6
0.6
SSW
14
0.3
S
20
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
9
0.3
WNW
10
0.1
S
10
0.2
WNW
10
Energy kJ
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)
0.3
W
4
0.3
W
4
0.3
W
4
0.4
W
3
0.6
W
6
0.3
SSE
3
Energy kJ
3
3
3
3
23
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
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
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
4
2
2
4
4
2
4
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
6
5
6
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
7
5
4
8
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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