Surf Forecasts:
Church surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SSW swell with 715 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Church this week:
The surf forecast for Church over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Church in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here. Let’s talk Church. The start is a dud — Friday July 17th and Saturday 18th have poor conditions with small swell (2ft to 3ft) and cross-on wind. The water is unusually warm, about 2° above average for this time of year, coming in at 70°F.
Sunday 19th is still marginal — light wind but onshore, with the swell staying small and messy. Combined energy is moderate (673 to 951) but nothing clean. Monday the 20th sees a bump to 5ft from the SSW, 12-second period, but the wind is still onshore, keeping it sloppy. Tuesday and Wednesday stay poor, with a fresh cross-shore wind up to 19 mph on Wednesday making it choppy.
Thursday the 23rd stays marginal, with 3ft to 3ft from the south. Then Friday the 24th brings a 2ft southwest groundswell at 24 seconds — very long period — and combined energy jumps to 1111. But again, cross-on wind holds it back from being clean.
The real window opens Monday July 27th. We get a solid push of 4ft SSW swell at 18 to 19 seconds, combined energy hitting 1577 on the afternoon — that’s strong energy, definitely the best of the run. Wind stays light cross-on, so it’s not glassy, but for advanced surfers, it’s the pick. Tuesday 28th stays similar, 4ft to 5ft SSW, 17 to 18 seconds, energy still over 1400. This is the standout stretch — long period, strong, consistent. Church is an exposed point, so it handles that kind of energy well, and crowds are always there, so be ready to share.
Wednesday 29th drops a little but still has 4ft SSW at 16 seconds, though it turns a bit cloudy and gets a mild cross-on. After that, Thursday 30th stays marginal, and Friday 31st brings a 5ft south swell at 14 seconds — decent but not as clean. Saturday August 1st fades with 5ft SSW at 12 seconds and cross-on wind, so the party’s over.
The standout is Monday 27th to Tuesday 28th — that’s your best bet. Just don’t expect perfect glass; the light cross-on is the main caveat.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SW 26 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 103 | 136 | 366 | 379 | 127 | 334 | 429 | 703 | 367 | 362 | 334 | 519 | 474 | 559 | 437 | 394 | 316 | 225 | 199 | 257 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:54PM1.64m | 1:12PM1.41m | 00:44AM1.39m | 1:58PM1.43m | 1:45AM1.14m | 2:48PM1.44m | 3:09AM0.93m | 3:42PM1.45m | 5:11AM0.84m | 4:40PM1.47m | 7:14AM0.88m | 5:36PM1.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:59PM0.50m | 6:44AM-0.03m | 7:01PM0.53m | 7:19AM0.16m | 8:13PM0.55m | 7:54AM0.37m | 9:43PM0.52m | 8:31AM0.55m | 11:24PM0.42m | 9:18AM0.71m | 00:41AM0.28m | 10:30AM0.81m | 1:32AM0.15m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 7:59 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | W 6 |
| kJ | 103 | 136 | 366 | 379 | 81 | 334 | 409 | 703 | 319 | 247 | 131 | 519 | 474 | 559 | 437 | 394 | 316 | 225 | 199 | 47 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 6 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 13 | SW 17 | WNW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 23 | 12 | 69 | 67 | 127 | 163 | 429 | 42 | 367 | 362 | 334 | 125 | 57 | 52 | 31 | 104 | 142 | 163 | 158 | 257 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | S 12 | W 6 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 11 | WNW 15 | S 22 | WNW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 7 | W 5 | WSW 6 | SW 26 | S 12 |
| kJ | 83 | 25 | 11 | 44 | 56 | 108 | 42 | 9 | 20 | 45 | 175 | 36 | 42 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 171 | 97 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | W 4 | W 5 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 12 | 28 | 21 | 47 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 90 | 63 | 90 | 85 | 63 | 85 | 85 | 0 | 85 | 85 | 0 | 85 | 85 | 0 | 85 | 85 | 0 | 85 | 85 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Church Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Church provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Church can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Church 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 (Church) 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 Church 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.
Church is 7 km (4 miles) from San Clemente. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Clemente. San Clemente has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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