
Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with 1,139 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore 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 Monday (Sep 07) 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 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
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 this stretch.
Water temp is 73°, and that’s about 6° warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a huge anomaly—you’re gonna feel like you’re in the tropics.
The forecast gets off to a slow start. Saturday afternoon the 5th shows a 4ft south swell with a 14-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore at 9 mph, leaving it choppy. Not worth the hassle.
Now Sunday the 6th is the real deal. Morning brings a 5ft south swell, same 14-second period, and the wind turns light cross-offshore at 6 mph. That’s clean surf, with combined energy at 1033 (moderate). Then Sunday afternoon? The wind goes glassy from the north at 3 mph. Doesn’t get any better than that. The swell holds at 5ft from the south, 14-second period, energy at 953. This is the window. Bolsa Chica on Sunday afternoon is your spot. Glassy conditions, head-high plus sets, and that long period will give you some real nice lines. It’s a beginner-friendly break, fairly consistent, so you’ll get waves. Just know that crowds are sometimes a factor here.
Monday the 7th is a letdown. Morning still has 5ft swell, but the wind is cross-onshore at 6 mph, and energy drops to 988. By afternoon, it’s blown out with 12 mph cross-onshore wind. No good.
From Tuesday the 8th onward, it’s a long dry spell. Swell drops below 3ft, winds stay cross-onshore or onshore, and energy sinks into the 200-500 range. Wednesday the 9th morning has a brief glassy moment with a tiny 2ft, 16-second period swell, but it’s barely a bump—energy only 328 (weak).
From Thursday the 10th all the way to the 20th, it’s dead. Swell mostly under 3ft, onshore or cross-onshore winds, and energy rarely breaks 300. There’s a short-period west swell on Saturday the 19th morning hitting 5ft, but it’s only 7 seconds and the wind is onshore. That’s a messy windswell—better for kites than paddles.
Bottom line: Sunday the 6th is your one shot. Get out for that afternoon glass-off at Bolsa Chica for the cleanest, best waves of the whole outlook. After that, it’s a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s slim pickins.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 21°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 14 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
537 | 494 | 999 | 929 | 606 | 915 | 874 | 411 | 308 | 408 | 194 | 127 | 219 | 298 | 414 | 376 | 358 | 349 | 262 | 217 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:50PM2.06m | 7:46AM1.52m | 6:05PM2.17m | 8:14AM1.65m | 7:04PM2.26m | 8:42AM1.77m | 7:56PM2.31m | 9:11AM1.89m | 8:42PM2.30m | 9:39AM1.99m | 9:26PM2.21m | 10:07AM2.06m | 10:09PM2.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:44AM0.29m | 11:53AM1.25m | 1:32AM0.17m | 12:59PM1.09m | 2:12AM0.11m | 1:52PM0.92m | 2:48AM0.10m | 2:39PM0.76m | 3:21AM0.17m | 3:23PM0.62m | 3:52AM0.28m | 4:06PM0.54m | 4:20AM0.44m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
7:12 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 30 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 6 |
537 | 404 | 999 | 929 | 606 | 915 | 874 | 411 | 308 | 408 | 194 | 105 | 71 | 298 | 414 | 376 | 358 | 349 | 262 | 41 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WSW 10 | WNW 6 | S 12 | SW 19 | SW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 8 | SW 9 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 15 |
392 | 494 | 19 | 6 | 411 | 58 | 3 | 277 | 261 | 81 | 11 | 96 | 219 | 39 | 38 | 15 | 42 | 29 | 20 | 217 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 10 | — | SW 18 | W 5 | S 22 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 8 | SW 8 | S 11 | SW 7 | WSW 15 |
68 | 46 | 15 | 18 | 11 | 4 | — | 51 | 4 | 9 | 130 | 127 | 85 | 82 | 47 | 35 | 15 | 20 | 7 | 43 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | — | — | WNW 4 | W 6 | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | W 4 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 57 | — | — | 7 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 10 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 44 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 138 | 20 | 138 | 138 | 20 | 0 | 150 | 33 | 33 | 96 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
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.










