
Surf Forecasts:
Church surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 438 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Church in the next 16 days are 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) 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+) | 5AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here, looking at the surf at Church for the next couple of weeks. This is a consistent beach and point break that loves a good SW groundswell, and the water temp is pretty average for this time of year. But honestly, the next 16 days are a bit of a grind.
We start off flat. From Tuesday the 4th of August through the 6th, the swell is tiny, around 1 to 2 feet from the SW and SSW, with mixed-up periods. The combined energy is weak, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, making it poor. No reason to get wet.
Thursday the 7th of August shows a little more pulse: a 2-foot swell from the SSW with a 19-second period, giving a moderate energy of 447. But the wind is a gentle cross-onshore, making it choppy and poor. The long period means the waves will have some shape, but the size and wind aren’t cooperating.
The weekend of the 9th and 10th of August brings a bit more size, up to 3 to 3 feet from the SSW, with periods in the 15-17 second range. Energy is moderate, hitting 443 on the 9th morning. But again, cross-onshore winds on Sunday and Monday keep the quality poor. Not a clean session.
The real standout, the only time I’d get my hopes up, is the afternoon of the 14th of August, into the 15th. On the 14th afternoon, we get a 3-foot SSW swell with an 18-second period, and the energy jumps to 669 (strong). The wind is light and onshore, which is a good sign. Then on the 15th of August (Saturday), the morning brings 3 feet from the SSW, 16-second period, and 571 energy with light onshore winds. The afternoon sees 4 feet from the SW, 16-second period, and 659 energy with a light cross-onshore breeze. The direction is spot-on for the break, and the long period from the SSW will set up some proper lines on the point. Crowds are always a factor here, so expect company. The 4-foot height is manageable for most, but the long period gives it some punch. A solid session for experienced surfers.
After that, the 16th and 17th of August drop off quickly. Swell drops to 3 to 3 feet, periods shorten, and the wind gets stronger, especially on the 17th afternoon with a moderate cross-onshore breeze making it choppy. The last glimmer is the morning of the 18th of August, with a tiny 1-foot swell from the SSW and a 16-second period, but it’s only marginal. From there, it’s back to poor conditions through the 19th.
So, to sum it up: the 14th and 15th of August are your best bet. The swell is small but the long-period groundswell, light winds, and good direction should produce clean, punchy waves at Church. Don’t expect much before that.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
91 | 85 | 107 | 75 | 162 | 127 | 160 | 113 | 114 | 126 | 329 | 243 | 348 | 340 | 295 | 397 | 411 | 305 | 297 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 00:36AM1.16m | 1:29PM1.48m | 1:54AM0.95m | 2:22PM1.52m | 4:05AM0.83m | 3:33PM1.57m | 6:25AM0.88m | 4:49PM1.67m | 7:33AM1.00m | 5:58PM1.80m | 8:13AM1.11m | 6:57PM1.93m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:45AM0.38m | 8:25PM0.49m | 7:15AM0.55m | 10:07PM0.40m | 7:58AM0.70m | 11:44PM0.22m | 9:36AM0.82m | 00:51AM0.02m | 11:25AM0.83m | 1:42AM-0.16m | 12:41PM0.74m | 2:27AM-0.29m | |||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
10 | 85 | 107 | 75 | 162 | 127 | 160 | 113 | 114 | 84 | 329 | 111 | 348 | 340 | 295 | 397 | 411 | 305 | 297 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | W 4 | W 5 | SW 12 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 13 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
54 | 58 | 36 | 6 | 7 | 34 | 4 | 8 | 79 | 126 | 114 | 243 | 103 | 69 | 94 | 98 | 13 | 42 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | W 6 | S 10 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | W 13 | W 5 | W 5 | W 12 | W 15 | SSW 9 | W 12 | SSW 8 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 |
91 | 9 | 8 | 40 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 19 | 72 | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 9 | — | — | 8 | — | — | 8 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 85 | 85 | 0 | 90 | 85 | 0 | 85 | 85 | 84 | 90 | 85 | 0 | 85 | 85 | 0 | 63 | 133 | 20 |
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.











