Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 414 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
Water temp is a toasty 72°F right now – way warmer than usual for this time of year. We’ve got a long-period SW groundswell coming through, 16 to 17 seconds, so some solid lines but with long waits between sets. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 275 (moderate) on Wednesday morning, building to 497 (moderate) by Thursday morning. But the wind is the problem. Through Wednesday and Thursday, it’s cross-onshore at 6 to 9 mph, making things choppy and bumpy. The surf is small, about 2ft to 3ft, but with that wind, it’s a mess. For a beginner spot like Bolsa Chica, that’s no good. Crowds are only sometimes thick, but with conditions this poor, it won’t matter.
The first week stays rough. Friday the 11th through Sunday the 13th, winds stay cross or cross-onshore, and the swell drops to 1ft to 2ft, period shortening. Energy falls to 155 to 311. Not worth wetting a suit.
There’s a real gap of several days there.
Then Saturday the 19th of September morning looks like the one. Glassy conditions with just a light air, swell at 2ft from the SW, period 18 seconds. Combined energy reads 376 (moderate). That’s the cleanest we’ll get the whole run. It’s small, but with no wind that SW groundswell will wrap nicely for a longboard or foiler. That’s the standout. The afternoon falls apart with a W wind at 12 mph cross-onshore, so hit it early.
From the 20th to the 24th, it’s back to onshore slop, small swell around 2ft to 3ft, and messy conditions. Energy bumps up to 478 on Sunday the 20th afternoon, but the wind ruins it.
Bottom line: a long stretch of poor to marginal days, with one glassy morning on the 19th being the real winner. Lock that one in.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 127 | 219 | 295 | 414 | 376 | 358 | 349 | 262 | 217 | 169 | 136 | 97 | 89 | 68 | 49 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 127 | 127 | 87 |
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 | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:11AM1.89m | 8:42PM2.30m | 9:39AM1.99m | 9:26PM2.21m | 10:07AM2.06m | 10:09PM2.07m | 10:34AM2.11m | 10:52PM1.89m | 11:02AM2.11m | 11:36PM1.69m | 11:30AM2.07m | 00:26AM1.50m | 12:00PM2.00m | 1:32AM1.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:39PM0.76m | 3:21AM0.17m | 3:23PM0.62m | 3:52AM0.28m | 4:06PM0.54m | 4:20AM0.44m | 4:49PM0.50m | 4:46AM0.62m | 5:33PM0.51m | 5:10AM0.80m | 6:21PM0.56m | 5:30AM0.98m | 7:16PM0.64m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 32 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 44 | 219 | 295 | 414 | 376 | 358 | 349 | 262 | 217 | 36 | 29 | 67 | 61 | 37 | 49 | 53 | 38 | 20 | 127 | 122 | 87 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WSW 6 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 98 | 39 | 25 | 36 | 25 | 43 | 43 | 28 | 36 | 169 | 136 | 97 | 89 | 68 | 30 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 10 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | WSW 14 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 127 | 78 | 73 | 47 | 46 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 40 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 58 | 44 | 43 | 40 | 38 | 23 | 127 | 69 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | — | S 7 | SE 3 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 9 | — | — | — | 8 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 73 | 44 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 182 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 138 | 0 |
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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