Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, S swell with 1,175 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period with S 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 15s. 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 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 2PM. 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+) | 5AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. The spot is Bolsa Chica. It’s a beginner-friendly beach break, fairly exposed to the swell, and it’s been a bit of a slow start here. Honestly, the next few days are looking pretty marginal—nothing to get too excited about just yet. The water is sitting at 70°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice bonus if you’re just getting in the water.
Looking at the first proper surf window, the morning of Thursday, 30th July, there’s a bit of a pulse coming through. Swell from the south at 4ft, period around 15 seconds—that’s a long period groundswell, which means it’ll have some push and shape, but at a beach break it can sometimes straighten out a bit. Still, the combined energy is moderate to strong (1069), and with light cross-onshore winds from the SSW at 6 mph, it’s not totally clean but it’s rideable. The morning on Friday, 31st July, looks like the best of the bunch—swell holds at 6ft from the south, period dropping a touch to 14 seconds, but the energy is strong (1349). Wind is light and onshore from the SW at 6 mph, which is a bit of a bummer, but for a beginner spot, that’s still manageable. This is the standout window: Friday morning. It’s the biggest swell of the period, but at 6ft, it’s getting a bit too much for total beginners—better for those who’ve got a few sessions under their belt.
After that, things drop off quickly. The weekend of 1st and 2nd August sees smaller swell and more onshore wind, and by Monday, 3rd August, it’s basically flat with tiny 1ft swell and weak energy. There’s a long stretch of nothing from the 3rd all the way through to the 9th of August—just tiny, weak waves and poor conditions. The energy drops below 100 at times, which is barely a ripple. The swell direction stays mostly SW or SSW, and the wind is often onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s not looking good for paddle surfing. Honestly, if you’re into kiting, that stretch might be more interesting, but for a surfer, it’s a dead run.
So, bottom line: the best bet is Friday morning, 31st July. It’s the biggest swell, decent energy, but wind is cross-on. If you’re a beginner, Thursday morning is a bit smaller and safer. After that, the forecast goes quiet for over a week, and that’s pretty normal for this area in summer. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 664 | 450 | 863 | 657 | 565 | 547 | 727 | 719 | 608 | 807 | 580 | 651 | 392 | 575 | 540 | 522 | 672 | 869 | 657 | 1162 | 919 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:08AM1.45m | 7:18PM2.09m | 9:34AM1.50m | 7:57PM2.17m | 9:59AM1.53m | 8:34PM2.24m | 10:24AM1.57m | 9:08PM2.27m | 10:50AM1.60m | 9:42PM2.26m | 11:15AM1.64m | 10:15PM2.19m | 11:41AM1.69m | 10:48PM2.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:00PM1.25m | 2:50AM0.31m | 1:43PM1.20m | 3:22AM0.24m | 2:21PM1.14m | 3:52AM0.20m | 2:57PM1.09m | 4:21AM0.19m | 3:33PM1.04m | 4:49AM0.21m | 4:10PM1.01m | 5:15AM0.27m | 4:49PM0.98m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 664 | 450 | 863 | 657 | 565 | 547 | 727 | 719 | 608 | 807 | 580 | 651 | 392 | 575 | 540 | 522 | 672 | 869 | 657 | 1162 | 919 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 10 | S 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 13 | SSW 18 | W 7 |
| kJ | 29 | 51 | 71 | 32 | 21 | 22 | 48 | 35 | 65 | 61 | 32 | 22 | 48 | 215 | 239 | 294 | 183 | 217 | 401 | 62 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | W 7 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 52 | 18 | 12 | 47 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 23 | 7 | 8 | 188 | 166 | 172 | 22 | 13 | 12 | 11 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 96 | 15 | 34 | 182 | 33 | 34 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 150 | 31 | 34 | 96 | 8 |
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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