
Surf Forecasts:
56th St surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 414 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 19s. 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 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8AM. 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+) | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 56th St over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Well, let me tell you straight up – it’s been a bit of a flat spell around here, and we’re looking at a long stretch of not much to get excited about. But don't go putting the boards away just yet. There are a few windows that could surprise you if you're keen.
The opening days of this stretch look pretty lackluster. We’re talking small, weak surf that’s mostly cross-onshore and just not offering anything clean. For the first few days, the swell is small and the winds aren't doing us any favors. It’s the kind of conditions that have you sitting on the beach wondering why you bothered.
There is a chance of a clean-ish wave on the afternoon of Thursday the 10th, with a bit of south in the wind and a light breeze, but it’s still small and the tide might muck it up. It’s a “maybe” at best, not a “go.”
The next week is much of the same story. Small surf, light winds, but mostly onshore or cross-onshore, keeping things bumpy and messy. Don't expect any real power or shape out of these. The energy in the water starts to build a bit mid-week, but it's still not translating into anything rideable due to the wind directions.
Then, we finally see a bit of life. Around the 20th of September, we start to see the wind ease up and swing around to the southwest. There's a promising morning on the 20th with that SW wind and the swell starting to straighten out, and then into the 21st, we have the best chance of this whole period. The swell is still only around 3ft, but the period is a solid 17 seconds, which means some real groundswell juice. The morning of Monday the 21st looks the cleanest with light winds, and that’s the standout. The energy is moderate, and it all lines up for 56th St to have some semi-decent, rippable waves.
After that, it fades back down and the winds get messy again towards the end of the forecast. So, to give you the summary: it's a long wait for not much. But that morning on the 21st is the one I’d circle on the calendar. Keep your expectations low for everything else, wear a spring suit because the water is a very unusual 72.3°, and keep an eye on the forecast because things can change.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
127 | 219 | 295 | 414 | 376 | 358 | 349 | 262 | 217 | 169 | 136 | 97 | 89 | 87 | 129 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 127 | 127 | 87 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:03AM1.47m | 8:35PM1.89m | 9:31AM1.57m | 9:18PM1.81m | 9:59AM1.64m | 10:00PM1.68m | 10:26AM1.68m | 10:42PM1.51m | 10:53AM1.68m | 11:25PM1.32m | 11:20AM1.65m | 00:14AM1.13m | 11:48AM1.58m | 1:20AM0.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:40PM0.37m | 3:23AM-0.16m | 3:23PM0.25m | 3:53AM-0.06m | 4:06PM0.17m | 4:21AM0.09m | 4:48PM0.14m | 4:47AM0.26m | 5:31PM0.15m | 5:10AM0.44m | 6:18PM0.20m | 5:30AM0.61m | 7:12PM0.28m | ||||||||
6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 31 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
44 | 219 | 295 | 414 | 376 | 358 | 349 | 262 | 217 | 24 | 35 | 43 | 82 | 47 | 92 | 63 | 44 | 18 | 127 | 122 | 87 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WSW 5 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 |
98 | 38 | 11 | 26 | 16 | 30 | 32 | 27 | 35 | 169 | 136 | 97 | 89 | 87 | 44 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 10 | 127 | 69 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | WSW 14 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 8 | SSW 15 |
127 | 78 | 73 | 47 | 46 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 40 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 58 | 129 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 23 | 22 | 43 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 30 | 46 | 46 | 102 | 46 | 46 | 110 | 46 | 46 | 110 | 46 | 46 | 125 | 18 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 125 | 0 |
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.










