Surf Forecasts:
Bolsa Chica surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bolsa Chica over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, it's Rusty. Let's break down the surf for Bolsa Chica over the next couple of weeks. The water's a bit warmer than usual for this time of year, coming in around 69°, which is a nice touch for a session.
Starting out, Saturday, August 15th has a long-period SSW groundswell at about 3ft and 16 seconds, with moderate combined swell energy (602). The problem is a 9 mph cross-onshore wind from the WSW, making it choppy. Not worth suiting up. Sunday, August 16th looks a hair better with morning offshore winds at about 6 mph cleaning up a similar 3ft SSW swell. Conditions are marginal though, and the energy drops (430), so it's a longboard-only gamble.
From Monday the 17th through Saturday the 23rd, we enter a long flat spell. Waist-high or smaller, with swell dropping from 3ft down to 1ft. Winds stay light and variable, but the combined swell energy is weak (142 to 410). The ocean is basically taking a nap.
Then on Sunday, August 23rd, a weird one pops up. A 1ft swell from the SW with a ridiculous 19-second period, bumping the energy back up (282). The morning looks glassy. That kind of period is super long, and on a beach break, it can just close out or create weird, shifting peaks. Still, if you've got a log and some patience, you might snag a few weird but powerful rides in the morning before the sea breeze ruins it.
The next week is flat and messy, 2ft to 2ft with onshore or cross-onshore breezes. There is a real glimmer on Saturday, August 29th. Offshore winds in the morning with a 3ft SSW swell and an 18-second period, pushing the combined swell energy to a solid 777. That's your best shot. Chest-high, clean lines with real power. It won't be perfect for the beach break, but if you're out there at first light, you could get some of the only decent waves of the entire forecast.
So, the pick of the litter is Saturday, August 29th for a morning session. Everything else is small, messy, or flat. It's one of those stretches where you have to pick your window carefully. The forecasts can change, so keep peeking, but right now, it's slim pickings.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 519 | 382 | 272 | 268 | 268 | 268 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 196 | 183 | 186 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:51PM1.86m | 12:32PM1.97m | 00:41AM1.61m | 1:08PM1.95m | 1:44AM1.38m | 1:48PM1.90m | 3:33AM1.23m | 2:40PM1.84m | 3:53PM1.82m | 8:28AM1.37m | 5:11PM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:04AM0.57m | 6:53PM0.76m | 6:31AM0.78m | 7:58PM0.79m | 6:54AM0.97m | 9:23PM0.80m | 7:10AM1.14m | 11:04PM0.75m | 00:23AM0.65m | 10:13AM1.36m | 1:14AM0.53m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 519 | 382 | 272 | 268 | 268 | 268 | 69 | 61 | 46 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 196 | 183 | 186 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 11 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 36 | 32 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 49 | 31 | 18 | 11 | 19 | 19 | 10 | 19 | 11 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SW 20 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 20 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 67 | 66 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 57 | 14 | 8 | 81 | 50 | 51 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 4 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 10 | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 44 | 96 | 138 | 13 | 96 | 138 | 20 | 33 | 73 | 33 | 33 | 88 | 14 | 33 | 89 | 0 | 53 | 73 |
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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