
Surf Forecasts:
Church surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 405 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Church in the next 16 days are 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 2AM. 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 (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next couple of weeks at Church are a bit of a grind for us paddle surfers. We’ve got a constant run of small, messy swell coming in from the SW, and the wind is nearly always cross-onshore or onshore, keeping things choppy and uninviting. There’s no real standout session in the immediate future, but if you’re patient and pick your windows, there are a few mornings that might just offer a sneaky clean wave.
The biggest issue is the wind. For the first week, from Sunday the 13th right through to Friday the 18th, it’s a near-constant battle with S to WSW breezes, mostly 6–9 mph, keeping the surface bumpy. The swell is tiny, mostly 1 ft to 3 ft, and the period is all over the place – short 8-second stuff up to longer 19-second groundswell. That long-period energy is good for shape in theory, but with such small size and poor winds, it’s just not coming together. The combined energy is moderate, hitting 190–525, but it’s all wasted on choppy conditions. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
Now, the best chance we’ve got in this whole run lands on Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th. On Saturday morning the 19th, we get a 3 ft SW swell at 18 seconds, with light SW onshore wind (6 mph). It’s not perfect, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see – the swell energy is moderate (557) and the conditions are described as “unknown,” which often means it could be glassy. Saturday afternoon holds similar but with a light cross-onshore. Sunday the 20th also has some promise with a 3 ft SW swell at 18 seconds, but the wind swings S at 9 mph, so morning might be choppier. Still, the energy is moderate (576–595), so there’s enough push for a few fun ones if you can find a corner.
After that, from Monday the 21st through to Monday the 28th, it’s more of the same: 2 ft to 3 ft SW swell, mostly cross-onshore winds, and poor surf conditions. The combined energy dips and rises between 300 and 632, but the wind never really lets up. A few mornings like Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th have light WSW cross-onshore and might be marginally rideable, but honestly, it’s a waiting game. The crowds at Church are always heavy, so even if it’s small, you’ll have company.
To be blunt, the whole 16-day window is a struggle. The swell is too small to overpower the wind, and the direction is locked in from the SW, which is okay for Church’s exposure but not enough to make up for the chop. If you’re a kite surfer, the consistent cross-onshore breeze and moderate energy might actually look appealing, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a lean stretch. Don’t give up hope – forecasts can change, and the long-period pulses suggest the ocean is trying, but for now, pick your moments carefully.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | W 10 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
160 | 89 | 131 | 188 | 119 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 127 | 114 | 386 | 347 | 366 | 284 | 246 | 405 | 303 | 303 | 234 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:31PM1.55m | 10:44AM1.70m | 11:13PM1.36m | 11:11AM1.66m | 11:59PM1.17m | 11:38AM1.58m | 00:58AM0.99m | 12:07PM1.48m | 2:45AM0.87m | 12:46PM1.38m | 2:20PM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:33AM0.24m | 5:15PM0.16m | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:59PM0.22m | 5:16AM0.57m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:28AM0.72m | 8:00PM0.38m | 5:12AM0.84m | 9:44PM0.41m | 11:29PM0.35m | ||||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 10 | WSW 7 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 6 |
160 | 43 | 43 | 188 | 119 | 121 | 36 | 57 | 58 | 88 | 386 | 347 | 366 | 284 | 246 | 405 | 183 | 303 | 35 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
14 | 89 | 87 | 85 | 108 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 122 | 32 | 11 | 9 | 64 | 81 | 67 | 156 | 303 | 141 | 101 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SW 21 | SW 21 | NW 11 | W 5 | S 11 | SW 19 |
14 | 58 | 131 | 129 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 15 | 15 | 26 | 160 | 162 | 5 | 9 | 36 | 234 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | W 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 15 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 63 | 85 | 27 | 84 | 90 | 27 | 84 | 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 | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










