Surf Forecasts:
56th St surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 751 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 56th St this week:
The surf forecast for 56th St over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 56th St in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. 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+) | 8AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 56th St over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty ordinary down at 56th St. We’ve got a long stretch of small, lumpy, and wind-affected surf ahead. It’s gonna be a game of patience.
The first few days, from Wednesday the 26th through to the end of the month, are a write-off. We’re looking at ankle-to-waist high slop with a cross-onshore breeze messing things up. The swell energy is weak to moderate, but it's just not doing anything for us. You’d be fighting a losing battle against the chop for no reward.
We roll into the first week of September with the same story. There’s a bit of waist-high swell hanging around, but the wind keeps swinging onshore. A few sessions on the 1st and 2nd have a little more push, but the conditions are still poor. Honestly, it’s a board-shorts-and-sunburn kinda week, not a surfing week.
Now, here’s the light at the end of the tunnel. If you’ve got the patience, mark your calendar for the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September. We finally get a break in the weather. The wind drops right out, and the report is showing glassy conditions with a 5ft swell from the SSW. The combined energy reads a strong 787. It’s not a massive day, but it’ll be clean and lined up. It’s a sheltered spot, so that SSW groundswell at a 12-second period should wrap in nicely. This will be the standout window in the entire 16-day run if you can snag it. Don’t sleep on that morning glass-off.
After that fleeting moment of glory, we slip back into mediocrity. The rest of the first week and into the second week is a mix of knee-to-waist high dribble with onshore winds. The swell direction stays SSW, but the energy drops off significantly as we go. There are a couple of mornings around the 8th and 9th where the wind is light, but the swell is too weak and the period is too long for this setup, making it a bit soft and sectiony. It’s a classic case of the long gap between sets making it feel like there’s barely any surf. For a spot like this, that's just how it goes sometimes.
So, my advice: surf the grovelers for the next few days, but keep your eyes peeled on that Thursday morning forecast. That’s our one true shot at something worthwhile.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
496 | 396 | 224 | 273 | 185 | 123 | 249 | 212 | 742 | 550 | 635 | 469 | 417 | 334 | 233 | 178 | 146 | 305 | 353 | 409 | 613 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:34AM1.27m | 8:45PM1.77m | 9:53AM1.34m | 9:17PM1.76m | 10:15AM1.42m | 9:51PM1.69m | 10:38AM1.49m | 10:27PM1.58m | 11:03AM1.56m | 11:08PM1.41m | 11:32AM1.61m | 11:55PM1.22m | 12:05PM1.63m | 00:58AM1.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:47PM0.58m | 3:45AM-0.08m | 3:21PM0.49m | 4:09AM-0.05m | 3:57PM0.41m | 4:32AM0.02m | 4:35PM0.34m | 4:56AM0.13m | 5:19PM0.30m | 5:19AM0.27m | 6:08PM0.28m | 5:43AM0.43m | 7:09PM0.29m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 17 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | W 8 | W 7 | SSW 15 | W 7 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
496 | 396 | 224 | 273 | 185 | 123 | 249 | 53 | 742 | 550 | 635 | 172 | 107 | 334 | 78 | 178 | 146 | 305 | 353 | 409 | 613 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 9 | SSW 19 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 7 | SSW 14 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | WNW 9 |
203 | 121 | 104 | 103 | 103 | 93 | 80 | 212 | 44 | 50 | 102 | 469 | 417 | 63 | 233 | 38 | 120 | 69 | 44 | 50 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 13 | W 6 | W 12 | SSW 18 | W 9 | SW 14 | S 8 | W 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 13 | SW 19 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | — |
18 | 10 | 55 | 11 | 71 | 121 | 37 | 89 | 34 | 26 | 11 | 6 | 36 | 56 | 47 | 166 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 115 | — | — | 134 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 46 | 46 | 18 | 46 | 87 | 18 | 110 | 110 | 19 | 46 | 110 | 46 | 46 | 110 | 30 | 46 | 125 | 0 | 47 | 173 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the 56th St Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for 56th St provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at 56th St can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our 56th St 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 (56th St) 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 56th St 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.
56th St is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Newport Beach. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Newport Beach. Newport Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











